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United Nations Security Council members voted in favour to a United States-backed measure ending penalties on Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa ahead of his presidential meeting the following week.

He was appointed interim leader following his leadership in a rebel offensive that removed Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, concluding thirteen long years of domestic strife.

Washington's ambassador Mike Waltz at the United Nations said the UN had sent "an emphatic political statement" that affirmed Syria's transition into "a different period" after Assad's removal.

He had been subject to global penalties while commanding the religious organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was formerly linked to the extremist organization. The US removed the group from its registry of international terrorist organizations during July.

Additional Sanctions Relief

Additionally, the United Nations lifted penalties against the Syrian interior official Minister Anas Khattab.

The Syrian diplomatic chief applauded the lifting of these restrictions, declaring through digital channels: "The nation shows its gratitude toward America and supportive states for their support the country and its population."

Upcoming White House Meeting

Sharaa's White House visit at the start of the week occurs subsequent to American leader Donald Trump said the Syrian leader demonstrated "substantial headway" towards bringing peace to the conflict-ravaged nation.

The pair met for the first time this past May, when Trump visited Riyadh during a visit to the Middle East.

After that meeting, America's leader characterized the Syrian as a "strong individual" possessing a "powerful background".

His Islamist group HTS served as al-Qaeda's branch within Syria prior to breaking relations back in 2016.

Prior United States Journey

Monday's visit will not be Sharaa's first trip to the US this year. This past fall, he became the first Syrian leader to present to the United Nations gathering at UN headquarters in almost 60 years.

Throughout his presentation, he said Syria was "regaining its deserved status among the nations of the world" and demonstrated unity with Palestinian citizens in Gaza.

• Syrian leader addresses UN General Assembly on historic occasion after nearly six decades
• The high-level talks with Sharaa, previously unimaginable, elevates national expectations