By Erin Banco, Humeyra Pamuk and Daphne Psaledakis NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - When President Donald Trump announced in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday that he would lift all sanctions on Syria, the decision - which will boost a country devastated by 13 years of war - took many in the region by surprise.

President Donald Trump’s announcement that the U.S. will ease sanctions on Syria could eventually facilitate the country’s recovery from years of civil war and transform the lives of everyday Syrians

An end to U.S. sanctions on Syria is expected to mark a new era for an economy devastated by 13 years of war, opening the way for investment flows from the Syrian diaspora, Turkey, and Gulf states that back the new government.