UPDATE - 'Majority' of US Congress supports lifting sanctions: Syrian President Sharaa

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By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said that "the majority" of the US Congress supports lifting American sanctions on Syria after he met with lawmakers Monday in Washington.

"The American administration is in agreement that Syria deserves to have an opportunity to be stable and to build its economy and to maintain its territorial integrity," Sharaa told The Washington Post following his White House meeting Monday with President Donald Trump. The visit is the first by a Syrian president since the country gained independence in 1946.

Sharaa said Trump's policies demonstrate support for Syrian stability and territorial unity. "It is clear ... that he is in favor of the stability of Syria and the territorial unity, and the lifting, the complete lifting of sanctions of Syria. So he is pushing in that direction," he said.

The comments were made after the US suspended the imposition of Caesar Act sanctions on Syria, in part, for 180 days Monday, signaling continued sanctions relief. The sanctions were initially suspended in May for 180 days.

The suspension halts the imposition of Caesar Act sanctions except for certain transactions involving the governments of Russia and Iran, or transfers of Russian-origin or Iranian-origin goods, technology, software, funds, financing or services, according to an advisory.

The 2019 Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act has been a central element of US policy to pressure the former regime of Bashar Assad and block international investments and economic transactions involving the Syrian government and its affiliates.

- US 'can put Israeli conduct under check'

Sharaa noted that he supports an agreement to return Israeli-occupied Syrian territory, but that does not include a broader normalization agreement with Tel Aviv.

He said negotiations with Israel are difficult but they continue with the support of the US and other international parties.

“I believe that in the world, the United States is the only country that can put Israeli conduct under check,” he said.

Following the fall of the Assad regime, Israel has launched hundreds of strikes targeting military sites and assets across Syria, including fighter jets, missile systems, and air defense installations.

Israel also expanded its occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights by seizing the demilitarized buffer zone, a move that violated a 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria.

Trump began the process of lifting US sanctions following a meeting with Sharaa in Saudi Arabia in May. He announced the lifting of US sanctions after the meeting and subsequently issued an executive order to formally remove comprehensive US sanctions in June.

The State Department supported the new Syrian government by revoking the Foreign Terrorist Organization designation of the al-Nusrah Front, also known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), in July, and removing Sharaa from the Specially Designated Global Terrorist list on Nov. 7.

Sharaa visited Washington as his government seeks permanent removal of US sanctions imposed during the Assad regime, which was toppled last December following 25 years in power.

Congressional approval is required for the complete lifting of sanctions.