Trump removes Syria from list of state sponsors of terrorism

A senior US administration official announced Wednesday that President Donald Trump informed Congress of his decision to remove Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

The move requires a 45-day review period by Congress before the decision becomes final, according to Reuters.

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States intends to remove Syria from the sanctions list related to terrorism, during his meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara on the sidelines of the NATO summit.

Trump added: 'I think I will do that. Why shouldn't I? He has done a great job... I will do it.'

Trump praised the Syrian president, a former jihadist for whom the United States had offered a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest, and hosted him at the White House last year, granting his country relief from decades-long economic sanctions.

Although Trump lifted some restrictions on Syria, the country remains on the US State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism, according to Bloomberg News.

The US president's moves were part of a broader strategic shift toward cooperation with the government in Damascus and helping al-Shara gain international support to rebuild Syria, which has been torn apart by a brutal civil war. The United States has allied with Turkey, the host nation of the NATO summit, to help reunify the country.