Syria cannot import wheat or fuel due to US sanctions, trade minister says

Syria's new trade minister, Maher Khalil al-Hasan, has expressed that the country is unable to secure fuel, wheat, and other essential goods due to harsh U.S. sanctions, despite interest from other countries. The ruling administration has managed to stockpile these items for a few months, but a catastrophe is im imminent if sanctions are not relaxed or lifted soon. The U.S. is expected to announce an easing of restrictions on humanitarian aid and basic services, while maintaining its sanctions regime. This move is seen as a gesture of goodwill to the Syrian people and a way to encourage a more moderate approach from the new Islamist rulers.

DAMASCUS, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Syria has been unable to reach deals to import fuel, wheat or other essential goods due to tough U.S. sanctions and despite many countries, including Gulf Arab states, wanting to do so, Syria’s new trade minister said. In an interview with Reuters in his Damascus office, Maher Khalil al-Hasan said Syria’s new ruling administration had managed to gather enough wheat and fuel to last a few months, but the country would face a “catastrophe” if sanctions were not frozen or lifted soon. Hasan is a member of the new interim government set up by the Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham after it launched a lightning offensive that toppled autocratic President Bashar al-Assad on Dec. 8 after 13 years of civil war. The sanctions were imposed during Assad’s rule, targeting his government as well as state institutions such as the central bank. Russia and Iran, both major backers of the Assad government, had supplied most of Syria’s wheat and oil products, but ...