UN Ends Restrictions on Syrian President Before Presidential Visit

United Nations Security Council members gave the green light to an American proposal removing restrictions on Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa ahead of his Washington trip next week.

He was appointed transitional president after leading an insurgent campaign that ousted the previous leader in the final month of 2024, bringing to a close 13 years of internal conflict.

The US representative Mike Waltz at the United Nations said the UN had sent "an emphatic political statement" that affirmed Syria's transition into "a new era" since Assad was deposed.

Sharaa was under global penalties in his role as head of the Islamist group the HTS movement, once connected to the terrorist network. Washington eliminated the group from its registry of global extremist entities during July.

Additional Sanctions Relief

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

Syria's foreign minister expressed satisfaction with the elimination of the penalties, posting on social media: "Syrian officials convey thanks to Washington and supportive states for their support the Syrian nation and citizens."

Imminent Washington Talks

Sharaa's White House visit at the start of the week comes after US President Donald Trump said the Syrian leader had made "good progress" in establishing peace to the previously divided state.

The two leaders convened for the first time during May, when Trump visited Riyadh on a tour of the Middle East.

After that meeting, America's leader characterized the Syrian as a "strong individual" with a "very strong past".

His former militant faction operated as the terrorist network's partner within Syria until he severed ties in 2016.

Prior United States Journey

The upcoming meeting will not be his initial visit to the United States this year. During September, he became the first Syrian leader to present to the UN General Assembly in New York for nearly six decades.

Throughout his presentation, he said Syria was "restoring its proper position among the nations of the world" and expressed solidarity toward Gaza's residents.

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