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The UN Security Council approved to a United States-backed measure to lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa prior to his Washington trip next week.

He became provisional head of state subsequent to commanding a rebel offensive that removed Bashar al-Assad in winter 2024, ending thirteen long years of domestic strife.

The US representative Mike Waltz at the United Nations said the UN had sent "a strong political signal" that recognised Syria was in "a different period" following Assad's ouster.

Sharaa was under UN sanctions while commanding the Islamist group HTS, once connected to al-Qaeda. America delisted HTS from a list of global extremist entities this past July.

More Penalties Removed

Additionally, the United Nations lifted sanctions on Syrian Interior Minister the interior minister.

The nation's top diplomat welcomed the removal of these restrictions, posting on social media: "Syrian officials convey thanks to the United States and to friendly nations for backing the country and its population."

Forthcoming Presidential Visit

President Sharaa's presidential meeting at the start of the week comes after American leader Donald Trump stated the Middle Eastern president had made "good progress" working toward stability to the war-torn country.

The two leaders convened on their first occasion during May, during Trump's Riyadh trip during a visit to Arab nations.

Subsequent to that discussion, the US president described him as a "resilient figure" having a "formative history".

The HTS organization he led was al-Qaeda's affiliate inside the country until he severed ties in 2016.

Prior United States Journey

Monday's visit will not be his initial visit to the US in the current year. In September, he emerged as the initial Syrian president to present to the United Nations gathering at UN headquarters for nearly six decades.

During his address, he stated the country had been "reclaiming its rightful place among the nations of the world" and expressed solidarity with Palestinian citizens in Gaza.

• The Middle Eastern president presents to international community on historic occasion following approximately sixty years
• Trump's meeting with the Syrian leader, once considered impossible, boosts Syrians' hopes