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.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Monday ending U.S. sanctions on Syria, following through on his earlier promise to do so.

Punitive measures will remain in place for former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and human rights abusers, the White House said