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United Nations Security Council members gave the green light to a US resolution to lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa ahead of his Washington trip next week.

Sharaa was named provisional head of state after leading a revolutionary movement that drove out the previous leader in December 2024, bringing to a close over a decade of domestic strife.

The US representative Mike Waltz at the United Nations said the UN had sent "a powerful diplomatic message" that recognised Syria was in "a fresh chapter" after Assad's removal.

He had been subject to United Nations restrictions while commanding the Islamist group HTS, previously associated with the extremist organization. America delisted HTS from a list of international terrorist organizations in July.

Additional Sanctions Relief

Furthermore, global sanctions were ended on restrictions targeting Syria's Interior Minister Minister Anas Khattab.

The Syrian diplomatic chief applauded the lifting of the sanctions, declaring through digital channels: "The nation shows its gratitude toward America and supportive states for backing the country and its population."

Forthcoming Presidential Visit

Sharaa's White House visit at the start of the week occurs subsequent to US President Donald Trump remarked that Sharaa demonstrated "substantial headway" working toward stability to the war-torn country.

Both presidents held discussions for the first time in May, when Trump visited Riyadh on a tour of the region.

Following that encounter, the US president described him as a "resilient figure" possessing a "powerful background".

His Islamist group HTS operated as the terrorist network's partner within Syria until he severed ties back in 2016.

Prior United States Journey

Monday's visit is not his initial visit to the United States during this period. During September, he became the initial Syrian president to present to the global assembly in New York for nearly six decades.

Throughout his presentation, he stated the country had been "reclaiming its rightful place among the nations of the world" and demonstrated unity with Palestinian citizens in Gaza.

• President Sharaa addresses UN General Assembly on historic occasion after nearly six decades
• Trump's meeting with President Sharaa, unthinkable just months ago, enhances Syrian aspirations