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United Nations Security Council members gave the green light to a US resolution to lift sanctions on President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria ahead of his presidential meeting the coming week.

He was appointed transitional president after leading a rebel offensive that ousted the previous leader in the final month of 2024, ending over a decade of civil war.

The US representative UN ambassador Mike Waltz stated the United Nations delivered "a powerful diplomatic message" that affirmed Syria's transition into "a different period" after Assad's removal.

Previously, he faced United Nations restrictions while commanding the religious organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), previously associated with al-Qaeda. The US removed the organization from the catalog of global extremist entities during July.

Additional Sanctions Relief

The UN also removed sanctions on Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab.

Syria's foreign minister welcomed the removal of the penalties, posting on social media: "Syrian officials convey thanks to the United States and supportive states for backing of Syria and its people."

Forthcoming Presidential Visit

The Syrian leader's Washington trip this coming Monday follows US President Donald Trump said the Syrian leader achieved "significant advancement" in establishing peace to the war-torn country.

The two leaders convened for the first time this past May, when Trump visited Riyadh on a tour of the region.

Following that encounter, the US president described Sharaa as a "tough guy" possessing a "powerful background".

His former militant faction was al-Qaeda's affiliate inside the country prior to breaking relations in 2016.

Previous US Visit

This week's diplomatic engagement is not his initial visit to America in the current year. This past fall, he made history as the pioneering Middle Eastern head of state to speak before the global assembly at UN headquarters after approximately sixty years.

Throughout his presentation, he stated the country had been "regaining its deserved status within the global community" and demonstrated unity with Palestinian citizens in Gaza.

• Syrian leader addresses UN General Assembly on historic occasion in almost 60 years
• Trump's meeting with Sharaa, previously unimaginable, elevates national expectations