UN Lifts Penalties on Syria's Leader Before White House Visit

United Nations Security Council members gave the green light to a US resolution ending penalties on President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria before his White House visit the following week.

He was appointed interim leader following his leadership in a rebel offensive that ousted the previous leader in the final month of 2024, bringing to a close 13 years of civil war.

The US representative to the UN Mike Waltz declared the global body transmitted "a strong political signal" that affirmed Syria's transition into "a new era" since Assad was deposed.

He had been subject to UN sanctions as the leader of the Muslim faction HTS, which was formerly linked to the extremist organization. The US removed the organization from the catalog of global extremist entities this past July.

Additional Sanctions Relief

Additionally, the United Nations lifted sanctions on Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab.

The Syrian diplomatic chief expressed satisfaction with the elimination of the sanctions, declaring through digital channels: "The nation shows its gratitude toward America and to friendly nations for assisting of Syria and its people."

Upcoming White House Meeting

The Syrian leader's Washington trip on Monday occurs subsequent to American leader Donald Trump remarked that Sharaa had made "good progress" towards bringing peace to the previously divided state.

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

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

His Islamist group HTS served as al-Qaeda's branch in Syria before he cut connections during 2016.

Previous US Visit

The upcoming meeting does not represent Sharaa's first trip to America in the current year. In September, he made history as the pioneering Middle Eastern head of state to present to the UN General Assembly in Manhattan after approximately sixty years.

During his address, he declared the nation was "reclaiming its rightful place within the global community" and demonstrated unity with the people of Gaza.

• Syrian leader speaks before global body on historic occasion in almost 60 years
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