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United Nations Security Council members approved to an American proposal to lift sanctions on Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa before his White House visit next week.

He became transitional president subsequent to commanding a revolutionary movement that drove out the previous leader in December 2024, bringing to a close over a decade of civil war.

The US representative Mike Waltz at the United Nations said the UN had sent "a powerful diplomatic message" that affirmed Syria's transition into "a fresh chapter" following Assad's ouster.

Sharaa was under United Nations restrictions in his role as head of the religious organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was formerly linked to the extremist organization. America delisted HTS from a list of international terrorist organizations this past July.

Further Restrictions Lifted

The UN also removed restrictions targeting Syria's Interior Minister Minister Anas Khattab.

The Syrian diplomatic chief welcomed the removal of the sanctions, declaring through digital channels: "The nation shows its gratitude to the United States and supportive states for backing the Syrian nation and citizens."

Imminent Washington Talks

The Syrian leader's Washington trip at the start of the week occurs subsequent to President Trump remarked that Sharaa achieved "significant advancement" working toward stability to the war-torn country.

Both presidents held discussions for the first time this past May, when Trump visited Riyadh on a tour of Arab nations.

Subsequent to that discussion, America's leader characterized Sharaa as a "tough guy" having a "formative history".

The HTS organization he led served as al-Qaeda's branch within Syria until he severed ties during 2016.

Previous US Visit

This week's diplomatic engagement is not his initial visit to America in the current year. This past fall, he made history as the initial Syrian president to address the United Nations gathering in New York in almost 60 years.

In his speech, he stated the country had been "restoring its proper position within the global community" while showing support with the people of Gaza.

• Syrian leader speaks before global body on historic occasion after nearly six decades
• Trump's meeting with President Sharaa, previously unimaginable, boosts Syrians' hopes