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The UN Security Council voted in favour to a United States-backed measure to lift sanctions on President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria prior to his White House visit the coming week.

Sharaa was named transitional president following his leadership in an insurgent campaign that removed Bashar al-Assad in winter 2024, concluding 13 years of civil war.

Washington's ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz stated the United Nations delivered "a strong political signal" that acknowledged Syria entered "a new era" following Assad's ouster.

Sharaa was under UN sanctions as the leader of the religious organization HTS, which was formerly linked to al-Qaeda. Washington eliminated the group from its registry of international terrorist organizations during July.

Additional Sanctions Relief

The UN also removed restrictions targeting Syria's Interior Minister Minister Anas Khattab.

Syria's foreign minister expressed satisfaction with the elimination of these restrictions, posting on social media: "The nation shows its gratitude to the United States and to friendly nations for backing the country and its population."

Forthcoming Presidential Visit

The Syrian leader's Washington trip at the start of the week follows US President Donald Trump stated the Middle Eastern president had made "good progress" working toward stability to the conflict-ravaged nation.

The two leaders convened on their first occasion in May, when Trump visited Riyadh on a tour of Arab nations.

Following that encounter, Trump portrayed the Syrian as a "strong individual" having a "formative history".

His former militant faction operated as the terrorist network's partner within Syria until he severed ties during 2016.

Earlier American Trip

The upcoming meeting does not represent his initial visit to the United States this year. This past fall, he made history as the pioneering Middle Eastern head of state to present to the United Nations gathering in New York after approximately sixty years.

In his speech, he stated the country had been "restoring its proper position across international circles" and demonstrated unity with Palestinian citizens in Gaza.

• Syrian leader addresses UN General Assembly for first time after nearly six decades
• Trump's meeting with Sharaa, once considered impossible, boosts Syrians' hopes