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The UN Security Council voted in favour to an American proposal to lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa before his White House visit the coming week.

He was appointed interim leader following his leadership in an insurgent campaign that drove out the previous leader in winter 2024, concluding over a decade of civil war.

Washington's ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz stated the United Nations delivered "a powerful diplomatic message" that recognised Syria was in "a different period" following Assad's ouster.

Sharaa was under global penalties in his role as head of the Muslim faction the HTS movement, which was formerly linked to al-Qaeda. Washington eliminated HTS from a list of foreign terror groups during July.

Further Restrictions Lifted

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

The Syrian diplomatic chief welcomed the removal of the penalties, declaring through digital channels: "The nation shows its gratitude to Washington and supportive states for backing the country and its population."

Forthcoming Presidential Visit

The Syrian leader's Washington trip on Monday comes after President Trump said the Syrian leader demonstrated "substantial headway" towards bringing peace to the war-torn country.

Both presidents held discussions initially during May, while the American president was in Saudi Arabia while traveling through Arab nations.

Subsequent to that discussion, Trump portrayed Sharaa as a "tough guy" with a "very strong past".

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

Prior United States Journey

Monday's visit is not the president's debut journey to the US in the current year. In September, he emerged as the initial Syrian president to address the global assembly in New York in almost 60 years.

In his speech, he said Syria was "reclaiming its rightful place within the global community" and demonstrated unity with the people of Gaza.

• Syrian leader presents to international community for first time in almost 60 years
• Trump's meeting with the Syrian leader, once considered impossible, enhances Syrian aspirations