United Nations Ends Sanctions on President of Syria Ahead of Presidential Visit
United Nations Security Council members voted in favour to an American proposal to lift sanctions on President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria prior to his Washington trip the following week.
He was appointed interim leader following his leadership in a revolutionary movement that removed the former president in December 2024, concluding 13 years of civil war.
Washington's ambassador Mike Waltz at the United Nations declared the global body transmitted "a strong political signal" that acknowledged Syria entered "a new era" after Assad's removal.
He had been subject to global penalties while commanding the Muslim faction HTS, which was formerly linked to al-Qaeda. The US removed the organization from the catalog of global extremist entities during July.
Further Restrictions Lifted
The UN also removed penalties against the Syrian interior official Minister Anas Khattab.
The Syrian diplomatic chief welcomed the removal of these restrictions, posting on social media: "The nation shows its gratitude to the United States and supportive states for their support of Syria and its people."
Forthcoming Presidential Visit
President Sharaa's presidential meeting this coming Monday comes after US President Donald Trump said the Syrian leader demonstrated "substantial headway" working toward stability to the war-torn country.
The two leaders convened on their first occasion in May, when Trump visited Riyadh during a visit to Arab nations.
Following that encounter, America's leader characterized him as a "resilient figure" possessing a "powerful background".
His Islamist group HTS operated as the terrorist network's partner in Syria before he cut connections in 2016.
Previous US Visit
Monday's visit will not be Sharaa's first trip to America this year. During September, he made history as the initial Syrian president to present to the United Nations gathering at UN headquarters for nearly six decades.
In his speech, he said Syria was "reclaiming its rightful place among the nations of the world" and expressed solidarity toward Gaza's residents.
- President Sharaa speaks before global body on historic occasion after nearly six decades
- Trump's meeting with President Sharaa, once considered impossible, boosts Syrians' hopes
