Trump lifting sanctions on Syria is major boost for al-Sharaa: Analysis

May 14, 2025  
US President Trump received a lavish welcome in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, the first day of his visit to the Middle East. The two countries signed a $142bn defence sales agreement as part of a Saudi Arabian commitment to invest $600bn in the United States.

Speaking at an investment forum in the capital, Riyadh, Trump announced that US sanctions on Syria will be removed, and said that it was time for the country to “move forward”.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said the removal of US sanctions marked a “new start” for the reconstruction of his country.

Trump’s four-day visit to the Gulf region continues on Wednesday, with a trip to Qatar before he travels to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.

Al Jazeera's diplomatic editor James Bays has more.

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