The European Union has lifted economic sanctions on Syria in an effort to help the war-torn country recover, Reuters reports, citing European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas.
This follows an announcement by the United States last week that it was lifting sanctions on Damascus.
The sanctions were imposed during al-Assad's rule in 2012 and 2013 and concern the transport, energy and banking sectors.
The country's new leadership has urged the West to ease restrictions to help Syria recover from years of despotic rule and civil war.
But diplomats said the bloc intended to impose new individual sanctions on those responsible for stoking ethnic tensions, following deadly attacks targeting the Alawite minority.
Other measures targeting the al-Assad regime and prohibiting the sale of weapons or equipment that could be used to suppress civilians would remain in place.
The latest move by the EU comes after its first step in February, suspending some sanctions on key Syrian economic sectors.
Officials said these measures could be reinstated if Syria's new leaders break promises to respect minority rights and move towards democracy.