US signals policy shift with Syria through sanctions relief, dialogue

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, following President Donald Trump’s decision to terminate longstanding U.S. sanctions and the national emergency declaration targeting Syria.

In a statement, the State Department said Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to reassessing domestic and United Nations terrorism-related designations connected to Syria, Caliber.Az reports, citing the U.S. Department of State.

However, he also emphasised the U.S. would maintain targeted sanctions against individuals deemed threats to Syrian and global stability, including President Bashar al-Assad and his inner circle.

Rubio said he hoped the move would mark “the beginning of a new chapter” in relations between Washington and Damascus, and offer renewed prospects for the Syrian people after more than a decade of conflict and isolation.

The two officials also addressed regional security issues, including counterterrorism efforts, Iran’s role in the region, Israel-Syria tensions, and the dismantling of any remaining elements of Syria’s chemical weapons programme.

By Aghakazim Guliyev