United Nations Lifts Sanctions on Syria's Leader Before White House Visit
The UN Security Council voted in favour to a US resolution removing restrictions on President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria ahead of his presidential meeting the coming week.
Sharaa was named transitional president subsequent to commanding a revolutionary movement that ousted Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, bringing to a close over a decade of internal conflict.
America's diplomat to the UN Mike Waltz said the UN had sent "a powerful diplomatic message" that recognised Syria was in "a different period" following Assad's ouster.
Sharaa was under United Nations restrictions while commanding the religious organization HTS, which was formerly linked to al-Qaeda. The US removed the group from its registry of international terrorist organizations this past July.
More Penalties Removed
The UN also removed sanctions on Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab.
The nation's top diplomat welcomed the removal of the sanctions, declaring through digital channels: "The nation shows its gratitude to the United States and supportive states for backing of Syria and its people."
Imminent Washington Talks
The Syrian leader's Washington trip on Monday follows American leader Donald Trump said the Syrian leader achieved "significant advancement" working toward stability to the conflict-ravaged nation.
Both presidents held discussions for the first time this past May, while the American president was in Saudi Arabia while traveling through the Middle East.
Following that encounter, the US president described Sharaa as a "tough guy" with a "very strong past".
His Islamist group HTS served as al-Qaeda's branch inside the country until he severed ties back in 2016.
Earlier American Trip
The upcoming meeting is not Sharaa's first trip to the US this year. During September, he emerged as the first Syrian leader to speak before the UN General Assembly in New York for nearly six decades.
During his address, he stated the country had been "restoring its proper position among the nations of the world" and expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza.
- Syrian leader addresses UN General Assembly initially after nearly six decades
- The high-level talks with the Syrian leader, unthinkable just months ago, enhances Syrian aspirations
