UN Removes Restrictions on Syrian President Prior to White House Visit
The UN Security Council voted in favour to a United States-backed measure to lift sanctions on Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa prior to his White House visit the coming week.
He was appointed provisional head of state after leading a revolutionary movement that drove out the former president in December 2024, concluding 13 years of civil war.
The US representative UN ambassador Mike Waltz said the UN had sent "a strong political signal" that affirmed Syria's transition into "a different period" following Assad's ouster.
He had been subject to global penalties as the leader of the religious organization HTS, previously associated with al-Qaeda. Washington eliminated the group from its registry of global extremist entities during July.
Further Restrictions Lifted
Furthermore, global sanctions were ended on restrictions targeting Syria's Interior Minister Anas Khattab.
The Syrian diplomatic chief welcomed the removal of the penalties, stating online: "Syria expresses its appreciation to Washington and to friendly nations for assisting of Syria and its people."
Imminent Washington Talks
Sharaa's White House visit on Monday comes after American leader Donald Trump said the Syrian leader had made "good progress" towards bringing peace to the previously divided state.
The pair met for the first time during May, while the American president was in Saudi Arabia during a visit to the region.
Subsequent to that discussion, the US president described Sharaa as a "tough guy" having a "formative history".
The HTS organization he led operated as the terrorist network's partner inside the country prior to breaking relations in 2016.
Previous US Visit
The upcoming meeting does not represent Sharaa's first trip to America in the current year. During September, he made history as the pioneering Middle Eastern head of state to address the global assembly in New York in almost 60 years.
Throughout his presentation, he declared the nation was "reclaiming its rightful place across international circles" while showing support with the people of Gaza.
- President Sharaa presents to international community for first time in almost 60 years
- The presidential discussion with President Sharaa, previously unimaginable, boosts Syrians' hopes
