WASHINGTON

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil liberties organization in the US, welcomed President Donald Trump’s decision Tuesday to lift sanctions on Syria.

"We commend President Trump for announcing the removal of all Assad-related sanctions imposed on the liberated nation of Syria. This is an important and welcome step," CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said in a statement.

His remarks came after Trump said during the 2025 Saudi-US Investment Forum in the Saudi capital Riyadh that he would order the removal of “brutal and crippling” US sanctions on Syria to give that country “a chance at greatness.”

“We also encourage President Trump to demand that the Israeli government stop bombing Syria and withdraw from the Syrian territory it has illegally occupied," Awad said.

The Syrian people should rebuild their nation "free from foreign sanctions, occupation and interference," he added.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday evening, a day ahead of a meeting with Trump, the Syrian presidency said in a statement.

Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, beginning a Gulf tour that will include visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.