The United States has taken a major step toward normalizing relations with Syria after President Donald Trump formally notified Congress of his administration's intention to remove Syria from the US list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, ending a designation that has remained in place since 1979.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision on Wednesday, describing it as a "historic step" that would help unlock new opportunities for Syria's reconstruction and economic recovery.

In a statement posted on X, Rubio said lifting the designation would pave the way for greater international trade and investment, giving the Syrian people a chance to achieve long-term prosperity and stability.

Under US law, Congress now has a mandatory 45-day review period before the decision can take effect. Unless lawmakers block the move through the required legislative process, Syria will officially be removed from the list after the review period concludes.

The announcement came shortly after a meeting between Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and President Trump on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara. During their talks, the two leaders discussed strengthening Syrian-US relations, expanding economic cooperation, and addressing regional developments.

Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Trump praised al-Sharaa's leadership, saying he had "done a great job" and indicating that Washington was ready to move beyond decades of strained relations.

The removal of the terrorism designation represents one of the most significant shifts in US policy toward Syria in decades. The designation, first imposed in 1979 under the former government, has long restricted US foreign assistance, defense exports, financial transactions, and investment involving Syria.

The latest move builds on a series of measures taken by the Trump administration over the past year to ease Syria's international isolation. In June, Trump signed an executive order terminating much of the US sanctions program targeting Syria, while maintaining sanctions against former President Bashar al-Assad, his associates, and individuals accused of human rights abuses or activities deemed destabilizing to the region.

Officials and analysts say removing Syria from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list is expected to facilitate international banking, attract foreign investment, and encourage reconstruction efforts after years of conflict. Several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, have already expressed interest in supporting Syria's economic recovery through major investment projects.

If Congress allows the review period to expire without blocking the measure, Syria will be formally removed from the US terrorism list, marking a landmark milestone in the normalization of relations between Washington and Damascus and potentially opening a new chapter in Syria's reintegration into the global economy. (ILKHA)