Trump formally lifts Syria sanctions after meeting with ex-Al Qaeda fighter prez in Saudi Arabia

President Trump gave his final sign-off Monday to lifting longstanding US sanctions on Syria after pledging to do so last month during a trip to Saudi Arabia – in spite of the fact that the country’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is a former leader of al Qaeda.

Trump, 79, met with al-Sharaa, 42, May 14 and has described the sanctions relief as intended to give the Damascus government “a chance” by reconnecting it to international banking and trade after 14 years of civil war.

State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce announced the move on a call with reporters, saying: “The interagency team, including the Departments of State, Treasury and Commerce, is actively executing the president’s bold vision for a stable, secure and peaceful Syria.”

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