Senator Shahin praises lifting sanctions on Syria and calls for supporting democratic transition.

Following President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Syria, Senator Jean Shaheen, a prominent member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed her full support for the move, considering it a "new opportunity for Syria towards freedom and prosperity."

Shaheen emphasized that "the sanctions have succeeded in achieving their main goal of contributing to the downfall of the Assad regime," stressing that "the time has come to empower Syria to transition into a free and independent state, away from Russian, Iranian, and Chinese influence."

She also praised "President Trump's swift action," revealing her continuous communication with the State Department and the National Security Council to "ensure the effective utilization of this opportunity."

The American senator called for "enhancing cooperation with the Syrian authorities," in coordination with European and regional allies of the United States, affirming that "stability in the Middle East will positively impact the interests of Washington and its allies, including Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, and Jordan." She added: "Every effort must be made to ensure Syria's continuation on the path of democracy and security."

Trump's announcement on Tuesday, May 13, came after consultations with the Saudi Crown Prince and the Turkish President, describing the decision as "the first step towards normalizing relations with Damascus." This move marks a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Syria, amid questions about its economic and political implications on the region.