🔗 Share this article

The UN Security Council gave the green light to an American proposal to lift sanctions on Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa prior to his White House visit the following week.

He became provisional head of state subsequent to commanding an insurgent campaign that ousted the former president in December 2024, bringing to a close thirteen long years of civil war.

Washington's ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said the UN had sent "a strong political signal" that affirmed Syria's transition into "a new era" after Assad's removal.

Previously, he faced UN sanctions as the leader of the Islamist group the HTS movement, once connected to the extremist organization. Washington eliminated the group from its registry of foreign terror groups this past July.

Further Restrictions Lifted

Additionally, the United Nations lifted sanctions on Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab.

The nation's top diplomat expressed satisfaction with the elimination of the sanctions, posting on social media: "Syrian officials convey thanks to the United States and to friendly nations for assisting the country and its population."

Imminent Washington Talks

Sharaa's White House visit at the start of the week comes after American leader Donald Trump stated the Middle Eastern president had made "good progress" towards bringing peace to the war-torn country.

Both presidents held discussions initially in May, while the American president was in Saudi Arabia while traveling through the region.

Subsequent to that discussion, America's leader characterized him as a "resilient figure" with a "very strong past".

His Islamist group HTS was al-Qaeda's affiliate within Syria before he cut connections back in 2016.

Earlier American Trip

Monday's visit will not be Sharaa's first trip to America during this period. During September, he made history as the initial Syrian president to present to the global assembly in Manhattan in almost 60 years.

In his speech, he stated the country had been "reclaiming its rightful place within the global community" and expressed solidarity with Palestinian citizens in Gaza.

• President Sharaa speaks before global body on historic occasion after nearly six decades
• The high-level talks with President Sharaa, unthinkable just months ago, elevates national expectations