President Donald Trump on Monday lifted U.S. sanctions on Syria, signing an executive order to carry out a promise he made in May. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters ahead of the signing that Trump's action was designed to "promote and support the country's path to stability and peace."

President Donald Trump signed on Monday an executive order terminating a U.S. sanctions program on Syria, allowing an end to the country's isolation from the international financial system and building on Washington's pledge to help it rebuild after a devastating civil war.