A joint statement from the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee welcomes the lifting of sanctions on Syria.

Republican Senator Jim Risch and Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen signed a joint statement on behalf of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, welcoming President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Syria, considering this step as "a positive response to our calls to remove obstacles to expanding cooperation with the interim Syrian government."

The statement read: "We applaud President Trump's decision to lift all sanctions on Syria," affirming that the fall of the Assad regime represents "a strategic opportunity for the United States to protect its interests in the region." The statement also called for the swift implementation of the decision and urged the Syrian government to address U.S. security concerns urgently.

The statement pointed out that lifting the sanctions will contribute to "enhancing Syria's ability to break free from Iranian and Russian influence," as well as curb China's attempts to expand its economic influence in the Middle East and prevent the resurgence of ISIS.

Separately, Senator Shaheen confirmed in another statement her support for the decision, explaining that the previous sanctions "succeeded in achieving their main goal of pressuring to topple the Assad regime." She added: "Lifting the sanctions will give the new Syria a chance to evolve into a free and independent state, away from the malign influence of Russia, Iran, and China."

Shaheen revealed her coordination with the State Department and the National Security Council to ensure the investment of this opportunity, emphasizing that "stability and security in the heart of the Middle East will benefit the interests of the United States and its allies in Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan."