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United Nations Security Council members voted in favour to an American proposal ending penalties on President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria before his White House visit the following week.

Sharaa was named transitional president subsequent to commanding an insurgent campaign that ousted the former president in December 2024, concluding over a decade of civil war.

America's diplomat 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.

Previously, he faced United Nations restrictions in his role as head of the Muslim faction HTS, previously associated with the terrorist network. Washington eliminated HTS from a list of international terrorist organizations this past July.

More Penalties Removed

The UN also removed penalties against the Syrian interior official Anas Khattab.

The Syrian diplomatic chief applauded the lifting of the sanctions, stating online: "The nation shows its gratitude toward America and supportive states for assisting the Syrian nation and citizens."

Forthcoming Presidential Visit

President Sharaa's presidential meeting at the start of the week comes after US President Donald Trump remarked that Sharaa had made "good progress" working toward stability to the previously divided state.

The two leaders convened on their first occasion this past May, when Trump visited Riyadh during a visit to Arab nations.

After that meeting, the US president described Sharaa as a "tough guy" with a "very strong past".

The HTS organization he led was al-Qaeda's affiliate within Syria prior to breaking relations back in 2016.

Prior United States Journey

This week's diplomatic engagement is not his initial visit to the US in the current year. This past fall, he made history as the pioneering Middle Eastern head of state to present to the UN General Assembly in New York in almost 60 years.

Throughout his presentation, he said Syria was "restoring its proper position within the global community" and expressed solidarity with Palestinian citizens in Gaza.

• President Sharaa addresses UN General Assembly for first time in almost 60 years
• The high-level talks with Sharaa, unthinkable just months ago, enhances Syrian aspirations