Syria has welcomed the move by the Trump administration to ease sanctions, calling it a “positive step” to ease humanitarian and economic suffering in the war-torn country.

Washington has granted Syria broad exemptions from sweeping economic sanctions in a step towards fulfilling US President Donald Trump’s promise to help the country get a “fresh start” after more than 14 years of civil war.

The president promised to ease sanctions on the war-torn nation when he met with its new leader this month. Most financial transactions with Syria were banned.