🔗 Share this article

Security Council representatives approved to an American proposal ending penalties on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa prior to his presidential meeting the coming week.

He became interim leader subsequent to commanding a rebel offensive that ousted Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, bringing to a close over a decade of domestic strife.

Washington's ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz declared the global body transmitted "an emphatic political statement" that acknowledged Syria entered "a fresh chapter" since Assad was deposed.

He had been subject to UN sanctions in his role as head of the religious organization the HTS movement, which was formerly linked to al-Qaeda. America delisted the group from its registry of foreign terror groups in July.

More Penalties Removed

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

The Syrian diplomatic chief applauded the lifting of the penalties, posting on social media: "Syrian officials convey thanks to Washington and supportive states for backing of Syria and its people."

Forthcoming Presidential Visit

Sharaa's White House visit on Monday follows US President Donald Trump remarked that Sharaa achieved "significant advancement" towards bringing peace to the previously divided state.

The two leaders convened on their first occasion this past May, when Trump visited Riyadh while traveling through the region.

After that meeting, the US president described him as a "resilient figure" having a "formative history".

His former militant faction operated as the terrorist network's partner inside the country before he cut connections during 2016.

Previous US Visit

Monday's visit will not be the president's debut journey to the United States in the current year. This past fall, he emerged as the first Syrian leader to present to the United Nations gathering at UN headquarters for nearly six decades.

During his address, he declared the nation was "regaining its deserved status among the nations of the world" and expressed solidarity toward Gaza's residents.

• The Middle Eastern president addresses UN General Assembly initially following approximately sixty years
• The presidential discussion with the Syrian leader, previously unimaginable, enhances Syrian aspirations