P resident Donald Trump announced on Tuesday, May 13, that he plans to end the U.S. sanctions imposed on Syria, which have been in place for over 45 years. Announcing the news on the first day of his Middle East tour, during the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, Trump said he would be lifting sanctions “in order to give them [Syria] greatness.”

President Trump, speaking in Saudi Arabia, said he will order the end of sanctions against Syria to normalize relations with its new government.

A White House readout of Trump's meeting with the Syrian leader said the president asked Syria to adhere to several conditions in exchange for sanctions relief, including telling all foreign terrorists to leave Syria, deporting "Palestinian terrorists," and helping the U.S. prevent the resurgence of ISIS.

President Trump met with Syria's interim President on Wednesday, a day after lifting sanctions and marking a major policy shift towards peace and rebuilding relations.

Syria's interim president on Wednesday praised US President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on the country.

The day began with pomp in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and ended in Qatar after the U.S. leader was greeted with camels and sped to what he said was a “perfecto” marble palace.

Trump arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday after a 15-hour flight for a four-day tour of the Middle East. Upon arriving, he was met by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after disembarking from Air Force One before attending a Saudi-U.S. Investment forum.