Trump Ends Syria Development Fund, Urges Saudis to Pay

US President Donald Trump said he has ended development payment to Syria, adding that Saudi Arabia and other rich countries in the Middle East will start making payments instead of the US.

News ID: 71851

Date: 19 August 2018 - 11:49

TEHRAN (Defapress)_“The United States has ended the ridiculous 230 Million Dollar yearly development payment to Syria. Saudi Arabia and other rich countries in the Middle East will start making payments instead of the US I want to develop the US, our military and countries that help us!”“The United States has ended the ridiculous 230 Million Dollar yearly development payment to Syria. Saudi Arabia and other rich countries in the Middle East will start making payments instead of the US I want to develop the US, our military and countries that help us!”
On Friday, the US State Department said that the fund, which was targeted to support the stabilization initiative in Syria, has been ordered to be redirected, ramping up speculation that it would be withdrawn from the country.
Former US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson announced on Feb. 13 that the United States pledges 200 million US dollars to build Syria.
However, Trump reportedly ordered in March a hold on the funds, demanding more information on how the money is being used, and urging other countries to step up to the plate and pay more.
He also said that his country will withdraw its troops in Syria "very soon," triggering speculation of the US possible retreat from Syria.
Syria has always denounced the US military action in the country as uninvited aggression.

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