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The UN Security Council voted in favour to an American proposal removing restrictions on Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa before his Washington trip the coming week.

He became transitional president after leading an insurgent campaign that removed the previous leader in December 2024, concluding 13 years of civil war.

America's diplomat Mike Waltz at the United Nations stated the United Nations delivered "an emphatic political statement" that acknowledged Syria entered "a different period" following Assad's ouster.

Sharaa was under UN sanctions while commanding the religious organization HTS, previously associated with al-Qaeda. The US removed HTS from a list of international terrorist organizations this past July.

Additional Sanctions Relief

Furthermore, global sanctions were ended on sanctions on Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab.

The nation's top diplomat welcomed the removal of the penalties, declaring through digital channels: "Syrian officials convey thanks to the United States and supportive states for assisting the Syrian nation and citizens."

Imminent Washington Talks

President Sharaa's presidential meeting this coming Monday follows US President Donald Trump remarked that Sharaa achieved "significant advancement" towards bringing peace to the conflict-ravaged nation.

The two leaders convened initially during May, while the American president was in Saudi Arabia while traveling through the Middle East.

After that meeting, America's leader characterized the Syrian as a "strong individual" having a "formative history".

The HTS organization he led served as al-Qaeda's branch in Syria prior to breaking relations during 2016.

Previous US Visit

Monday's visit does not represent his initial visit to the United States during this period. During September, he made history as the initial Syrian president to present to the global assembly at UN headquarters in almost 60 years.

Throughout his presentation, he declared the nation was "regaining its deserved status among the nations of the world" while showing support with Palestinian citizens in Gaza.

• The Middle Eastern president addresses UN General Assembly for first time in almost 60 years
• The presidential discussion with President Sharaa, previously unimaginable, boosts Syrians' hopes