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The UN Security Council approved to a US resolution removing restrictions on President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria before his presidential meeting the following week.

Sharaa was named provisional head of state subsequent to commanding a rebel offensive that removed the former president in December 2024, bringing to a close 13 years of civil war.

The US representative Mike Waltz at the United Nations declared the global body transmitted "an emphatic political statement" that recognised Syria was in "a fresh chapter" since Assad was deposed.

He had been subject to UN sanctions as the leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), previously associated with the extremist organization. The US removed the group from its registry of global extremist entities during July.

Additional Sanctions Relief

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

Syria's foreign minister applauded the lifting of the penalties, stating online: "The nation shows its gratitude to Washington and to friendly nations for assisting the country and its population."

Imminent Washington Talks

Sharaa's White House visit this coming Monday follows President Trump stated the Middle Eastern president demonstrated "substantial headway" towards bringing peace to the war-torn country.

Both presidents held discussions on their first occasion this past May, while the American president was in Saudi Arabia while traveling through the Middle East.

Following that encounter, America's leader characterized Sharaa as a "tough guy" with a "very strong past".

His Islamist group HTS operated as the terrorist network's partner within Syria prior to breaking relations in 2016.

Previous US Visit

The upcoming meeting is not his initial visit to the US this year. This past fall, he made history as the initial Syrian president to speak before the United Nations gathering at UN headquarters after approximately sixty years.

During his address, he said Syria was "regaining its deserved status within the global community" while showing support toward Gaza's residents.

• The Middle Eastern president presents to international community initially in almost 60 years
• The presidential discussion with the Syrian leader, previously unimaginable, enhances Syrian aspirations