UN Removes Sanctions on Syria's Leader Ahead of White House Visit
Security Council representatives approved to a US resolution to lift sanctions on President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria ahead of his Washington trip the following week.
Sharaa was named interim leader subsequent to commanding a revolutionary movement that drove out Bashar al-Assad in the final month of 2024, ending thirteen long years of internal conflict.
The US representative to the UN Mike Waltz said the UN had sent "a powerful diplomatic message" that acknowledged Syria entered "a fresh chapter" since Assad was deposed.
He had been subject to UN sanctions as the leader of the Islamist group HTS, once connected to al-Qaeda. The US removed HTS from a list of global extremist entities this past July.
Additional Sanctions Relief
Additionally, the United Nations lifted penalties against the Syrian interior official Minister Anas Khattab.
Syria's foreign minister applauded the lifting of these restrictions, stating online: "The nation shows its gratitude toward America and allied countries for assisting of Syria and its people."
Forthcoming Presidential Visit
Sharaa's White House visit at the start of the week follows President Trump stated the Middle Eastern president had made "good progress" towards bringing peace to the war-torn country.
Both presidents held discussions for the first time during May, while the American president was in Saudi Arabia during a visit to the region.
After that meeting, Trump portrayed Sharaa as a "tough guy" having a "formative history".
The HTS organization he led operated as the terrorist network's partner within Syria prior to breaking relations back in 2016.
Previous US Visit
Monday's visit is not his initial visit to America during this period. During September, he became the first Syrian leader to address the UN General Assembly in New York in almost 60 years.
Throughout his presentation, he stated the country had been "regaining its deserved status among the nations of the world" while showing support toward Gaza's residents.
- President Sharaa speaks before global body for first time in almost 60 years
- The presidential discussion with Sharaa, previously unimaginable, boosts Syrians' hopes