Marco Rubio Statements: US Support for Stable Syria After Sanctions Lifted

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States has begun taking additional steps to support a stable and unified Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors, following President Donald Trump's signing of an executive order lifting US sanctions imposed on Syria.

Rubio said in a post on the "X" platform this Tuesday morning, "US sanctions will no longer be an obstacle to Syria's future," adding: "We want to give the Syrian people a real chance to rise and build a prosperous future away from conflict and extremism."

Trump's decision signed on Monday terminates the legal framework of sanctions originally aimed at punishing the Bashar al-Assad regime, but later became a hindrance to the country's recovery after the war.

This shift culminates Trump's announcement on May 13th of his intention to lift all sanctions, reaffirming it later during his meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Shar'a.

Meanwhile, US Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barak described the decision as a "comprehensive opportunity to restart the Syrian economy," confirming that the President and Secretary of State "are not seeking to build a state," but are giving Syrians a "real opportunity" to rebuild their country.

The executive order takes effect as of Tuesday, and includes revoking the declaration of a national emergency regarding Syria issued in 2004, as well as revoking five other executive orders that formed the legal basis for the sanctions program.

The decision also directs relevant US agencies to take actions related to exemptions, export controls, and other regulatory restrictions related to Syria.

According to "Al-Monitor," this decision represents a significant shift in US policy towards Damascus, paving the way for broader international engagement in rebuilding Syria and reviving its economy after more than a decade of war and conflict.