Trump announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria

(Patria) - US President Donald Trump announced yesterday that he will order the lifting of sanctions on Syria at the request of the Saudi Crown Prince, which is a huge boost for the interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Shar and his efforts to stabilize the war-torn country.

Trump made this sudden announcement on a regional tour that began with a visit to Saudi Arabia.

The White House announced that Trump will greet Shar during his visit to Saudi Arabia, indicating that the meeting between the US President and the former Al Qaeda commander, who spent five years in US prison in Iraq, will take place today.

Two sources from the Syrian presidency said that Shar will travel to Riyadh to meet with Trump.

The United States imposed strict sanctions on Syria during Bashar al-Assad's rule and kept them in place since Assad was overthrown in December after more than 13 years of war.

Saudi Arabia has led calls for the lifting of sanctions. Trump said he would lift all sanctions on Syria, explaining that they had served an important function, but that it was time for Syria to move forward.

- I will order the lifting of sanctions on Syria to give them a chance to succeed. It's time for them to shine. We are removing them all. Good luck Syria, show us something very special - Trump told the investment forum in Riyadh.

Shar was the leader of Al Qaeda's official wing in the Syrian conflict for years, before breaking ties with the global network in 2016.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group led by Shar, which was formally dissolved in January, was considered a terrorist organization by the US and the UN.