A U.S. sanctions exemption for transactions with governing institutions in Syria is welcome, but "much more significant work ... will inevitably be necessary," the U.N. special envoy on Syria, Geir Pedersen,

European Union sanctions in Syria that obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid and hinder the country's recovery could be lifted swiftly, France's foreign minister said Wednesday. The United States on Monday issued a sanctions exemption for transactions with governing institutions in Syria for six months after the end of Bashar al-Assad's rule to try to ease the flow of humanitarian assistance.

The UN envoy for Syria has welcomed the US decision to ease some sanctions against Damascus to enable humanitarian aid deliveries, but called for a greater push for long-term relief. Geir Pedersen's remarks on Wednesday came after the Biden administration this week issued a six-month suspension of sanctions on Syrian governing institutions.