Five months after its liberation from the police state of Bashar al-Assad, Syria sometimes looks like a country in civil war. Sectarian clashes have turned into street battles with rockets and mortars.

Turkish companies and banks will benefit from a lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria, Onur Genc, chief executive officer of BBVA said on Wednesday.

President Donald Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia for the first stop of his multi-nation trip, as Syria’s new leadership signals interest in talks to restore relations between the two countries.

President Trump announced the change in US policy during his speech at a Saudi investment forum, kicking off the first major international trip of his second term.

During his remarks, Trump said he will remove the sanctions on Syria, and directed threats at Iran. He also pushed Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements that established diplomacy between Israel and the Arab nations.

BBC probe finds coordinated social media campaigns, originating abroad, spreading false information against and in favour of new Syrian administration

The overtures to Washington are part of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's pledge to end Syria's international sanctions.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will not attend the Arab League Summit in Baghdad this weekend, Syrian state media said on Monday, after Iraq's invitation spurred controversy over the rebel-turned-leader's potential return to a country where he fought and was jailed.