President says Syria ‘shakes off dark stain’ with removal from US terror list

Damascus, SYRIA - Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa hailed the United States' removal of his country from the state sponsors of terror list on Tuesday, marking a significant step in the nation's journey towards development and reconstruction. Sharaa expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump and other supportive nations, emphasizing that Syria is "shaking off a dark stain and tearing away a painful chapter of its past."

The decision to delist Syria comes after the Trump administration rescinded a decades-old designation that imposed severe economic restrictions.

The move by the US Treasury Department also provided corresponding sanctions relief to Syria. Sharaa commended the US and its allies for their unwavering support during the nation's challenging journey. The country's new authorities are actively seeking investment to rebuild infrastructure severely damaged by a decade-long civil war.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the delisting as a "path to prosperity" for Syria, highlighting the elimination of major barriers for private sector investment. Meanwhile, Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani and Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh hailed the delisting as a "historic milestone" and a "success for Syrian diplomacy," respectively, signaling a renewed commitment to international peace and security and the nation's integration into the global economic system.