The UK government Thursday lifted sanctions imposed during the rule of the former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad against 24 entities including Syria’s Central Bank, a statement said.

The UK government said last month it planned to ease sanctions after the new Syrian government sought to persuade Western capitals that the rebels that toppled Assad, after 14 years in charge, had confined their previous origins to the past.

Unveiling an updated sanctions list on Thursday, the Treasury said: “24 entries have been removed from the consolidated list and are no longer subject to an asset freeze.”

The lifting of the sanctions apply to firms in the energy, transport and finance sectors