Washington DC, Aug. 24 -- The United States on Monday (local time) formally rescinded Syria's designation as a "State Sponsor of Terrorism" (SST), ending a 47-year-old classification and removing what Washington said were major barriers to private-sector investment and Syria's economic reintegration.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that he authorised the rescission after the mandatory 45-day Congressional notification period. The US also removed "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham's" (HTS) designation as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" (SDGT).

"These actions represent another historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a path to prosperity," Rubio said.

Rubio said the decision followed steps taken by the Syrian gover...