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United Nations Security Council members gave the green light to a United States-backed measure to lift sanctions on President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria prior to his White House visit the coming week.

He was appointed provisional head of state following his leadership in a revolutionary movement that drove out Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, concluding over a decade of domestic strife.

The US representative UN ambassador Mike Waltz stated the United Nations delivered "a powerful diplomatic message" that recognised Syria was in "a fresh chapter" after Assad's removal.

Sharaa was under global penalties while commanding the religious organization the HTS movement, previously associated with al-Qaeda. Washington eliminated the group from its registry of international terrorist organizations during July.

More Penalties Removed

The UN also removed sanctions on Syrian Interior Minister Minister Anas Khattab.

The Syrian diplomatic chief expressed satisfaction with the elimination of the penalties, stating online: "The nation shows its gratitude toward America and to friendly nations for assisting of Syria and its people."

Imminent Washington Talks

Sharaa's White House visit this coming Monday occurs subsequent to American leader Donald Trump said the Syrian leader demonstrated "substantial headway" in establishing peace to the previously divided state.

Both presidents held discussions for the first time during May, while the American president was in Saudi Arabia on a tour of the region.

Following that encounter, America's leader characterized the Syrian as a "strong individual" with a "very strong past".

His former militant faction operated as the terrorist network's partner inside the country prior to breaking relations in 2016.

Prior United States Journey

This week's diplomatic engagement will not be the president's debut journey to America during this period. This past fall, he emerged as the pioneering Middle Eastern head of state to address the UN General Assembly in Manhattan after approximately sixty years.

In his speech, he stated the country had been "restoring its proper position across international circles" and demonstrated unity toward Gaza's residents.

• The Middle Eastern president addresses UN General Assembly on historic occasion in almost 60 years
• The high-level talks with President Sharaa, once considered impossible, boosts Syrians' hopes