U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has pledged to consider reviewing both domestic and United Nations terrorist designations related to Syria, following President Donald Trump's landmark decision to lift sanctions and end the national emergency targeting the war-torn country. In a phone call with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, Rubio said he would explore potential adjustments to existing terrorism designations, according to a statement released Thursday by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce. Rubio reiterated that sanctions would remain in place against "malign actors," including former President Bashar al-Assad and his affiliates, but said recent steps "may mark the beginning of a new chapter for both the Syrian people and U.S.-Syria relations." The call came days after Trump announced the lifting of what he called "brutal and crippling" U.S. sanctions on Syria during an investment forum in Riyadh. He also held a historic meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the first between U.S. and Syrian leaders in 25 years. Al-Sharaa rose to power in January 2025 after leading anti-regime forces that ousted Assad, who fled to Russia on Dec. 8, 2024, ending more than 60 years of Baathist rule. The U.S. and Syrian officials also discussed counterterrorism cooperation, relations with Iran and Israel, and efforts to dismantle any remaining chemical weapons linked to the Assad regime, according to the State Department. — Agencies
