UN Removes Sanctions on President of Syria Before White House Visit
United Nations Security Council members voted in favour to a United States-backed measure to lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa prior to his presidential meeting the following week.
He became transitional president after leading a revolutionary movement that ousted the previous leader in the final month of 2024, bringing to a close over a decade of internal conflict.
Washington's ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz declared the global body transmitted "a powerful diplomatic message" that affirmed Syria's transition into "a different period" since Assad was deposed.
Sharaa was under UN sanctions in his role as head of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was formerly linked to al-Qaeda. The US removed HTS from a list of foreign terror groups in July.
More Penalties Removed
Furthermore, global sanctions were ended on penalties against the Syrian interior official Minister Anas Khattab.
The Syrian diplomatic chief welcomed the removal of the penalties, posting on social media: "The nation shows its gratitude toward America and supportive states for backing of Syria and its people."
Imminent Washington Talks
President Sharaa's presidential meeting on Monday follows US President Donald Trump said the Syrian leader demonstrated "substantial headway" in establishing peace to the previously divided state.
The two leaders convened for the first time during May, when Trump visited Riyadh while traveling through the Middle East.
Following that encounter, America's leader characterized the Syrian as a "strong individual" possessing a "powerful background".
His former militant faction operated as the terrorist network's partner within Syria prior to breaking relations during 2016.
Previous US Visit
The upcoming meeting will not be Sharaa's first trip to America this year. During September, he emerged as the pioneering Middle Eastern head of state to speak before the global assembly in New York after approximately sixty years.
During his address, he said Syria was "regaining its deserved status among the nations of the world" while showing support with the people of Gaza.
- President Sharaa speaks before global body for first time after nearly six decades
- Trump's meeting with the Syrian leader, once considered impossible, enhances Syrian aspirations
