In a statement issued Tuesday, Pedersen stressed that lifting sanctions is a necessary step to facilitate the provision of basic services, such as healthcare and education, and to stimulate the recovery of the Syrian economy.
He stressed the importance of this step in enabling Syria to obtain effective regional support and in enhancing Syrian participation in the country's reconstruction efforts.
Trump's announcement came during his participation in the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, where he described the sanctions as "brutal and crippling," noting that the time has come for "Syria to rise up."
He explained that he decided to lift the sanctions with the aim of giving Syria a chance to grow and develop, following consultations he held with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
