US lawmaker who spearheaded Syria sanctions calls for them to be lifted for investment, reconstruction

Republican Congressman Joe Wilson, one of the main advocates for sanctioning the government of Bashar al-Assad, on Wednesday called on the Biden administration to lift sanctions on Syria. 

Wilson said while sanctions on former Assad officials should remain, the US should lift sanctions on Syria as a whole related to reconstruction and foreign investment. 

"The administration should issue waivers and general licenses to suspend sanctions statutes and executive orders connected to reconstruction, economic development, foreign investment, and other critical economic activities," Wilson wrote in a letter addressed to national security advisor Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. 

"Such temporary waivers and licenses at this critical time could build good will for the United States in Syria and help sideline terrorist groups by facilitating economic and financial access for ordinary Syrians," he added. 

Wilson said lifting sanctions on foreign investment and reconstruction would not stop sanctions on designated terror groups operating in Syria.