The United Nations Security Council has approved a U.S.-led resolution to lift sanctions against Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa ahead of his scheduled visit to the White House next week.
Al-Sharaa assumed the role of transitional president after leading a rebel offensive that resulted in the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, effectively ending a 13-year civil war.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz stated that the Security Council’s action sends a “strong political signal” acknowledging a “new era” in Syria following Assad’s removal from power.
Previously, al-Sharaa was subject to UN sanctions due to his leadership of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group with former ties to al-Qaeda. The U.S. delisted HTS as a foreign terrorist organization in July.
The UN also lifted sanctions against Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab.
In response, Syria’s Foreign Minister conveyed appreciation for the removal of sanctions via social media, stating, “Syria expresses its gratitude to the United States and allied nations for their support of Syria and its people.”
Al-Sharaa’s White House visit on Monday follows President Donald Trump’s commendation of the Syrian leader for making “good progress” toward establishing peace in the war-torn nation.
The two leaders previously met in May during Trump’s visit to Riyadh as part of a Middle East tour.
Following that meeting, President Trump characterized al-Sharaa as a “tough guy” with a “very strong past”.
His Islamist group, HTS, served as al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria until severing ties in 2016.
Monday’s visit marks al-Sharaa’s second trip to the U.S. this year. In September, he became the first Syrian leader to address the UN General Assembly in New York in nearly 60 years.
During his address, he asserted that Syria was “reclaiming its rightful place among the nations of the world” and expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza.
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