UN Ends Sanctions on Syrian President Prior to Presidential Visit
United Nations Security Council members gave the green light to a United States-backed measure to lift sanctions on Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa prior to his White House visit next week.
He was appointed provisional head of state following his leadership in a revolutionary movement that ousted the former president in December 2024, ending 13 years of domestic strife.
Washington's ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz stated the United Nations delivered "an emphatic political statement" that acknowledged Syria entered "a different period" following Assad's ouster.
Previously, he faced global penalties while commanding the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), previously associated with the terrorist network. The US removed HTS from a list of international terrorist organizations during July.
Further Restrictions Lifted
Furthermore, global sanctions were ended on penalties against the Syrian interior official Minister Anas Khattab.
Syria's foreign minister applauded the lifting of these restrictions, posting on social media: "Syrian officials convey thanks to the United States and supportive states for backing the Syrian nation and citizens."
Upcoming White House Meeting
Sharaa's White House visit on Monday comes after US President Donald Trump said the Syrian leader demonstrated "substantial headway" in establishing peace to the war-torn country.
The pair met initially during May, when Trump visited Riyadh during a visit to Arab nations.
After that meeting, America's leader characterized the Syrian as a "strong individual" possessing a "powerful background".
His Islamist group HTS operated as the terrorist network's partner inside the country before he cut connections during 2016.
Previous US Visit
This week's diplomatic engagement does not represent Sharaa's first trip to the US during this period. During September, he became the pioneering Middle Eastern head of state to speak before the United Nations gathering in New York after approximately sixty years.
In his speech, he said Syria was "reclaiming its rightful place among the nations of the world" while showing support toward Gaza's residents.
- Syrian leader speaks before global body for first time following approximately sixty years
- The high-level talks with the Syrian leader, previously unimaginable, elevates national expectations
