GCC Secretary-General welcomes US steps to remove Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassem Al-Budaiwi, welcomed on Friday the announcement by the United States of America regarding the initiation of procedures to remove Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

In a press statement, Al-Budaiwi said that this step would support international and regional efforts aimed at enhancing security and stability in Syria, expressing his hope that it would contribute to strengthening international cooperation with Damascus, thereby supporting its efforts to restore its regional and international standing and advance security, development, and prosperity.

He reaffirmed the GCC’s firm and supportive stance on the unity of Syria, the preservation of its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and its rejection of any interference in its internal affairs, emphasizing the importance of continuing these efforts to ensure a prosperous future for the brotherly Syrian people.

It is worth noting that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday the commencement of the process to remove Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, following notification of this step to the U.S. Congress by President Donald Trump.

Earlier, President Trump had informed his Syrian counterpart, Ahmed al-Sharaa, during their meeting in the Turkish capital Ankara on the sidelines of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit, about the removal of Syria from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.