ANKARA — U.S. President Donald Trump has formally notified Congress of his administration’s intent to remove Syria from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday.In a statement, Rubio said Trump informed Congress following the required 45-day pre-notification period.”Today, President Trump informed Congress of his administration’s intent to rescind Syria’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST), following a 45-day pre-notification period. This is yet another historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a chance at greatness,” Rubio said.He described the move as “a significant milestone” in the renewed relationship between the United States and Syria.”We commend the government of Syria for charting a new course and look forward to enhancing our partnership with Syria and its people,” Rubio said.The announcement follows Trump’s meeting with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara earlier on Wednesday.Asked whether he would remove Syria from the terrorism list, Trump replied: “I think I will, why wouldn’t I? He’s done a great job,” referring to Al-Sharaa.Rubio said removing the designation would “unlock international trade and investment” and give Syria “a chance to rebuild,” adding that “a stable, unified Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors benefits not only the region, but the entire world.”Syria has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism since 1979, a classification currently shared only with Cuba, North Korea and Iran. The designation carries restrictions on security assistance, financial transactions and foreign investment.Al-Sharaa visited the White House last November, marking the first visit by a Syrian head of state since the country’s independence in 1946. He previously met Trump in Riyadh in May 2025, shortly before Washington lifted sanctions imposed under the Caesar Act, while the state sponsor of terrorism designation remained in place.
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