U.S. Congressman Mast supports full repeal of Caesar Act sanctions on Syria

Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced that he will support a full repeal of sanctions imposed on Syria under the Caesar Act.

Mast told The Hill on Thursday that his position does not oppose the U.S. President Donald Trump administration, which also supports full repeal. 

He added that the repeal should include mechanisms to reinstate sanctions if certain conditions are not met.

Until recently, Mast had objected to the full repeal of the Caesar Act due to the crimes of the former regime, amid diplomatic and political efforts to push for its abolition.

Last week, Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a senior committee member, renewed their support for lifting sanctions on Syria.

U.S. Representative Joe Wilson has repeatedly emphasized that continuing to implement the Caesar Act hinders reconstruction efforts in Syria.

Source: SANA