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The UN Security Council approved to an American proposal to lift sanctions on Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa ahead of his presidential meeting the following week.

Sharaa was named transitional president subsequent to commanding a revolutionary movement that ousted Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, ending thirteen long years of civil war.

The US representative to the UN Mike Waltz said the UN had sent "a strong political signal" that acknowledged Syria entered "a new era" following Assad's ouster.

Previously, he faced global penalties in his role as head of the Islamist group the HTS movement, previously associated with al-Qaeda. The US removed the group from its registry of global extremist entities this past July.

Further Restrictions Lifted

Additionally, the United Nations lifted penalties against the Syrian interior official Anas Khattab.

Syria's foreign minister expressed satisfaction with the elimination of these restrictions, stating online: "The nation shows its gratitude to Washington and allied countries for backing the Syrian nation and citizens."

Imminent Washington Talks

Sharaa's White House visit at the start of the week occurs subsequent to American leader Donald Trump remarked that Sharaa achieved "significant advancement" towards bringing peace to the previously divided state.

The two leaders convened for the first time this past May, during Trump's Riyadh trip while traveling through the Middle East.

Subsequent to that discussion, Trump portrayed Sharaa as a "tough guy" having a "formative history".

His Islamist group HTS served as al-Qaeda's branch within Syria until he severed ties in 2016.

Prior United States Journey

Monday's visit is not the president's debut journey to America during this period. In September, he made history as the initial Syrian president to present to the UN General Assembly at UN headquarters in almost 60 years.

In his speech, he stated the country had been "restoring its proper position across international circles" and expressed solidarity toward Gaza's residents.

• Syrian leader addresses UN General Assembly initially following approximately sixty years
• Trump's meeting with President Sharaa, once considered impossible, boosts Syrians' hopes