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United Nations Security Council members gave the green light to a United States-backed measure to lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa before his White House visit the following week.

Sharaa was named interim leader after leading a revolutionary movement that drove out the previous leader in the final month of 2024, concluding 13 years of civil war.

The US representative Mike Waltz at the United Nations said the UN had sent "a powerful diplomatic message" that acknowledged Syria entered "a different period" since Assad was deposed.

Sharaa was under global penalties in his role as head of the Islamist group HTS, once connected to the extremist organization. America delisted HTS from a list of international terrorist organizations during July.

Further Restrictions Lifted

The UN also removed penalties against the Syrian interior official the interior minister.

Syria's foreign minister expressed satisfaction with the elimination of the sanctions, declaring through digital channels: "Syrian officials convey thanks to the United States and allied countries for their support the Syrian nation and citizens."

Forthcoming Presidential Visit

The Syrian leader's Washington trip at the start of the week comes after US President Donald Trump remarked that Sharaa achieved "significant advancement" working toward stability to the previously divided state.

The two leaders convened for the first time in May, while the American president was in Saudi Arabia during a visit to Arab nations.

After that meeting, Trump portrayed him as a "resilient figure" possessing a "powerful background".

The HTS organization he led was al-Qaeda's affiliate inside the country prior to breaking relations during 2016.

Previous US Visit

This week's diplomatic engagement will not be his initial visit to the United States during this period. During September, he became the initial Syrian president to speak before the global assembly in Manhattan after approximately sixty years.

During his address, he stated the country had been "reclaiming its rightful place across international circles" and expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza.

• Syrian leader presents to international community for first time after nearly six decades
• Trump's meeting with President Sharaa, previously unimaginable, boosts Syrians' hopes