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United Nations Security Council members gave the green light to an American proposal to lift sanctions on President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria ahead of his White House visit the following week.

He was appointed provisional head of state following his leadership in an insurgent campaign that drove out Bashar al-Assad in winter 2024, bringing to a close 13 years 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" following Assad's ouster.

Previously, he faced UN sanctions while commanding the Islamist group HTS, which was formerly linked to the extremist organization. Washington eliminated HTS from a list of international terrorist organizations in July.

Further Restrictions Lifted

Furthermore, global sanctions were ended on penalties against the Syrian interior official Anas Khattab.

The Syrian diplomatic chief welcomed the removal of these restrictions, posting on social media: "Syrian officials convey thanks toward America and to friendly nations for backing the Syrian nation and citizens."

Forthcoming Presidential Visit

President Sharaa's presidential meeting on Monday occurs subsequent to President Trump stated the Middle Eastern president had made "good progress" towards bringing peace to the previously divided state.

The pair met on their first occasion in May, when Trump visited Riyadh while traveling through Arab nations.

After that meeting, the US president described him as a "resilient figure" having a "formative history".

The HTS organization he led served as al-Qaeda's branch within Syria prior to breaking relations during 2016.

Previous US Visit

This week's diplomatic engagement does not represent the president's debut journey to the United States this year. In September, he emerged as the pioneering Middle Eastern head of state to present to the UN General Assembly in Manhattan in almost 60 years.

In his speech, he declared the nation was "restoring its proper position within the global community" and demonstrated unity with Palestinian citizens in Gaza.

• The Middle Eastern president presents to international community on historic occasion following approximately sixty years
• The high-level talks with Sharaa, unthinkable just months ago, enhances Syrian aspirations