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The UN Security Council approved to a United States-backed measure to lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa prior to his presidential meeting next week.

Sharaa was named transitional president subsequent to commanding a rebel offensive that drove out the former president in December 2024, bringing to a close thirteen long years of civil war.

The US representative Mike Waltz at the United Nations declared the global body transmitted "a powerful diplomatic message" that affirmed Syria's transition into "a different period" since Assad was deposed.

He had been subject to UN sanctions while commanding the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), once connected to the extremist organization. America delisted HTS from a list of global extremist entities this past July.

Additional Sanctions Relief

Furthermore, global sanctions were ended on penalties against the Syrian interior official Anas Khattab.

The nation's top diplomat applauded the lifting of the sanctions, stating online: "The nation shows its gratitude to the United States and allied countries for backing the Syrian nation and citizens."

Upcoming White House Meeting

Sharaa's White House visit at the start of the week follows US President Donald Trump said the Syrian leader demonstrated "substantial headway" towards bringing peace to the war-torn country.

The two leaders convened on their first occasion during May, while the American president was in Saudi Arabia on a tour of the Middle East.

Subsequent to that discussion, the US president described the Syrian as a "strong individual" with a "very strong past".

His Islamist group HTS operated as the terrorist network's partner inside the country until he severed ties during 2016.

Previous US Visit

Monday's visit is not Sharaa's first trip to the United States this year. In September, he became the pioneering Middle Eastern head of state to address the UN General Assembly in Manhattan for nearly six decades.

During his address, he stated the country had been "restoring its proper position across international circles" while showing support with Palestinian citizens in Gaza.

• Syrian leader presents to international community for first time in almost 60 years
• The presidential discussion with the Syrian leader, previously unimaginable, boosts Syrians' hopes