The United States on Friday took the first steps toward lifting sanctions on Syria after President Donald Trump said his administration would unwind them. The Treasury Department issued a general license that authorizes transactions involving the interim Syrian government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa,

President Donald Trump's administration is granting Syria a waiver from one crippling set of sanctions as well as easing restrictions on businesses as a first step in his pledge to end a half-century of penalties.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, the former militant commander who led the overthrow, says he is working to build an inclusive government friendly to the West. Some Trump administration officials are pushing to lift or waive sanctions as fast as possible without demanding tough conditions first.