After talks with Turkish president, Saudi crown prince, Trump says US will lift sanctions on Syria

By Seda Sevencan

ISTANBUL (AA) - The US is lifting sanctions on Syria to promote a "fresh start" for the country, US President Donald Trump said Wednesday.

Speaking at a Gulf-US summit in the Saudi capital Riyadh, Trump said the decision came after talking with the two leaders.

“After discussing the situation with Crown Prince Mohammed and President (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan of Turkey, I'm also ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria to give them a fresh start. It gives (Syria) a chance for greatness," he said.

He added: "The sanctions were really crippling, very powerful.”