DAMASCUS — Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa said that Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman has fulfilled his promise with regard to lifting of US sanctions on Syria. "I visited Riyadh several months ago and met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He promised me to do his utmost to seek the lifting of sanctions on Syria. I saw in his eyes and the eyes of his people his great love for Syria and his insightful vision for its economic future," he said in an address to the Syrian people on Thursday. Al-Sharaa hailed US President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Syria, describing it as a courageous, historic decision that alleviated the suffering of the people, helped advance their progress, and laid the foundations for stability in the region. President al-Sharaa noted that the road ahead is still long, as today the hard work has begun, and with it, Syria's modern rise toward progress and prosperity has begun. "Today, I am not only celebrating the lifting of sanctions on Syria. Our joy lies in the sincere brotherhood and the return of fervent sentiments among the peoples of the region, their kings, princes, and presidents. Unity of decision and direction cannot be disappointed by God," he said in an emotional address. "Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has fulfilled his promise; President Erdoğan has fulfilled his love, Prince Tamim has fulfilled his loyalty, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed has fulfilled his eagerness, and all the other rulers have fulfilled their feelings. President Trump, thankfully, responded to this love," he said. "Syria pledges to be a land of peace and joint action, and to be loyal to every hand extended to it in good faith. Syria will no longer be an arena for power struggles, nor a platform for foreign ambitions. We will not allow the division of Syria, nor will we give way to the revival of the narratives of the former regime aimed at fragmenting our people," Al-Sharaa said while asserting that Syria belongs to all Syrians, regardless of their sects and ethnicities, and to everyone living on this blessed land.
