Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria, calling it “quick, courageous and historic” and saying it recognized that Syria “should be safe, stable and unified.” President al-Sharaa made the remarks during an interview with CBS that was previewed on Sunday.
“This is in the greatest interest for all countries of the world, not just Syria,” the president added, urging the United States to engage in talks on “a great many issues and mutual interests” and restore relations “in a good and direct way.”
Asked about the label “pragmatism,” the Syrian president said he disagreed with the term, noting that in Arabic it carries negative connotations. “The point is, let’s look at what’s happening now, regardless of what was said in the media,” the President said.
President al-Sharaa noted that Syria’s actions had “saved the people from the oppression that was being thrust on them by the criminal regime,” adding that refugees and displaced people could now return home.
“We supported the people who were bombed with chemical weapons. We also confronted ISIS. We expelled the Iranian militias and Hezbollah from the region,” President al-Sharaa affirmed.
The President criticized the international community for failing to protect civilians, free prisoners, or stop the use of chemical weapons. “All of these noble acts we took in Syria should have been the role of the international community,” he reiterated.
“I don’t believe we should be standing accused at the defense table,” he added. “We should be the one asking others, why did you stand silent as these terrible crimes were taking place in Syria?”
The President warned that opposing the lifting of sanctions would worsen the suffering of civilians. “Anybody who stands against the lifting of sanctions would be complicit in killing the Syrian people once again,” he concluded.
