NEW YORK: Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa called his appeal to Washington on Monday to formally lift U.S. sanctions imposed under the 2019 Caesar Act, while visiting New York for the first time in nearly six decades to attend the first UN General Assembly of Syria’s leaders.
Sharaaformer Al Qaeda leader, leads the rebel forces overthrow Bashar al-Assad’s government last year. US President Donald Trump and He ordered the lifting of most sanctions in Riyadh in May, but the 2019 Caesar Syria Civil Protection Act authorized them to remain U.S. law.
Speaking at the major of one annual conference, Sharaa said the sanctions imposed on previous Syrian leaders were no longer justified, while the Greeks were increasingly blessed by measures directed against them. “We have a huge mission to build the economy,” Sarah said.
“Syria has a diverse workforce. They love to work, and that’s its genes. So don’t worry, just lift sanctions and you’ll see the results.” Sharaa, the first Syrian president to attend the conference since 1967, is expected to deliver his first speech at the conference 80th Session Tuesday.
Members of Congress have been debating whether to repeat the Caesar Act, which imposes extensive sanctions on Assad’s Syria. Some lawmakers, including Trump’s Republicans and Democrats, have repeated as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, a comprehensive defense bill expected to be passed by December.
Washington reached pressure to Syria to reach security agreements with Israel during the New York meeting this week.
Israel and Syria are formally in a state of war originating from territorial disputes, military confrontation and deep seed political distrust. Damascus hopes to secure air strikes and withdrawals on Israel, which were pushed into southern Syria.
Sharaa said the negotiations had reached an advanced stage and he hoped that the outcome would preserve Syria’s sovereignty and resolve Israel’s security issues.
Posted in Dawn on September 23, 2025
