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The UN Security Council gave the green light to an American proposal to lift sanctions on President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria prior to his White House visit the following week.

He was appointed transitional president after leading a rebel offensive that drove out Bashar al-Assad in the final month of 2024, bringing to a close 13 years of internal conflict.

The US representative to the UN Mike Waltz said the UN had sent "a strong political signal" that recognised Syria was in "a fresh chapter" following Assad's ouster.

Previously, he faced UN sanctions as the leader of the religious organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), once connected to the terrorist network. Washington eliminated HTS from a list of global extremist entities this past July.

More Penalties Removed

Furthermore, global sanctions were ended on sanctions on Syrian Interior Minister the interior minister.

Syria's foreign minister expressed satisfaction with the elimination of the penalties, declaring through digital channels: "Syrian officials convey thanks toward America and allied countries for backing of Syria and its people."

Forthcoming Presidential Visit

President Sharaa's presidential meeting at the start of the week comes after American leader Donald Trump said the Syrian leader demonstrated "substantial headway" in establishing peace to the conflict-ravaged nation.

Both presidents held discussions initially during May, when Trump visited Riyadh while traveling through the region.

Subsequent to that discussion, Trump portrayed him as a "resilient figure" with a "very strong past".

His former militant faction served as al-Qaeda's branch within Syria prior to breaking relations during 2016.

Prior United States Journey

The upcoming meeting is not his initial visit to the US this year. In September, he made history as the initial Syrian president to speak before the UN General Assembly in New York for nearly six decades.

During his address, he said Syria was "regaining its deserved status across international circles" and demonstrated unity with Palestinian citizens in Gaza.

• The Middle Eastern president presents to international community on historic occasion in almost 60 years
• Trump's meeting with President Sharaa, previously unimaginable, elevates national expectations