Syria off US terror blacklist after nearly 50 years as Trump admin clears investment hurdle

The United States on Monday formally removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a move Secretary of State Marco Rubio said eliminates the final major barriers to investment and economic recovery in the country.

Rubio said in a statement that he had authorized the formal rescission after a mandatory 45-day congressional notification period ended.

President Donald Trump had initiated the countdown in July after confirming to Congress that Syria’s government had ceased supporting acts of international terrorism.