Two US congressman have urged senior American officials to suspend some sanctions on Syria to ease pressure on its economy, according to a letter seen by the Reuters news agency.
The letter was signed by Republican Joe Wilson, who chairs the foreign affairs subcommittee on the Middle East, and Democrat Brendan Boyle, who chairs the Free Syria caucus.
It says parts of the Caesar Act, which limits US dealings with Syria or with Russian and Iranian entities in Syria, should be repealed.
The congressman wrote that while keeping sanctions on former government officials was important, they believed “that other parts of the legislation – such as sectoral sanctions and sanctions related to reconstruction” should be suspended.
The letter said the US must issue waivers to encourage economic development and foreign investment in Syria and to “build goodwill”.
The Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) rebel group has told business leaders it will adopt a free-market model and integrate the country into the global economy.
A source close to HTS told Reuters yesterday that the group was in touch with US officials over lifting parts of the Caesar Act.
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