After 47 Years.. Syria Removed from Terror List
Washington – Damascus – Agencies: The United States has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a move coming 47 years after its inclusion and following a congressional review of the decision. Damascus welcomed the step and called for additional measures to lift the remaining restrictions hindering Syria’s recovery. Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa welcomed the removal of his country’s name from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. In a video address, he thanked U.S. President Donald Trump and all those who stood with Syria and the Syrian people, describing the decision as historic. A notice from the U.S. Treasury Department indicated that the State Department had removed Syria from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism on Monday. The Syrian Foreign Ministry welcomed the decision, stating it would contribute to economic recovery efforts, facilitate reconstruction, and enhance stability and security in Syria and the region. It added that Syria looks forward to deepening strategic partnerships and expanding cooperation prospects with Washington and the international community. The ministry expressed gratitude and appreciation to the United States and to the administration of President Donald Trump for this important step and the political will demonstrated, which contributed to reaching this decision. It also expressed hope that additional steps would follow to lift the remaining restrictions hindering Syria’s recovery and support its return to its natural and active role in its Arab and international environment. The ministry stressed that Syria looks forward to deepening strategic partnerships and expanding cooperation prospects with the United States and the international community, in service of shared interests. For his part, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani posted on the X platform: “We congratulate our people on this historic event—the removal of Syria’s name from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, after 47 years of designation linked to the policies and practices of the ousted regime.” Al-Shibani viewed the step as the fruit of the transformation achieved by Syrians and as a reflection of the new Syrian state’s commitment to international security and peace, as well as cooperation and partnership with the United States and other countries worldwide. In a separate development, Safwat Raslan, governor of the Central Bank of Syria, described the end of Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism as a historic step that returns the country to its natural place in the global economic system. According to the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), Raslan noted that the central bank is working to build a modern, reliable financial system capable of keeping pace and leveraging all opportunities, affirming that the future holds better prospects. For his part, Syrian Finance Minister Muhammad Yasser Baruni considered the U.S. move a major and historic success for Syrian diplomacy. He explained that the decision opens a broad avenue for strengthening Syria’s ties with the global economic and financial system, attracting investments and modern technologies, and supporting development opportunities. He pointed out that removing Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism places the country before the challenge of confidently and resolutely advancing in the path of economic and financial recovery and reform, and completing institution-building.
