US says it wants to see ‘peace and prosperity’ in Syria

WASHINGTON

The US on Tuesday said it wants to see “peace and prosperity” in Syria, following President Donald Trump’s announcement that he will order the lifting of what he described as “brutal and crippling” American sanctions on Syria.

Responding to questions about the move, State Department deputy spokesman Tommy Pigot said the administration’s broader goal is to ensure stability across the region.

“The president spoke to this. He spoke about his reasoning. He spoke to the fact that he wants to see the entire region thrive,” Pigot told reporters during a press briefing. “We want to see peace and prosperity.”

Pigot added that the US has communicated with Syrian “interim authorities” regarding steps it believes are necessary to achieve long-term peace.

“From this podium and elsewhere, we've communicated to them some of the actions that they should take for peace and prosperity, and we hope that they do take those actions,” he said.

“This is about making sure we have a region that can thrive, a region for long-term peace and prosperity.”

When asked about the implications of Trump’s move on US-Syria ties as well as how and when the sanctions would be lifted, Pigot declined to provide specifics.

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump said he will order the removal of "brutal and crippling" US sanctions on Syria after consultations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other regional leaders.

"After discussing the situation in Syria with the crown prince, your crown prince, and also with President Erdogan of Türkiye, who called me the other day and asked for a very similar thing, among others, and friends of mine, people that I have a lot of respect for in the Middle East, I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness," Trump said in Riyadh as he addressed an investment forum.