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The UN Security Council gave the green light to an American proposal to lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa ahead of his White House visit the coming week.

Sharaa was named interim leader subsequent to commanding an insurgent campaign that removed Bashar al-Assad in the final month of 2024, concluding over a decade of internal conflict.

The US representative Mike Waltz at the United Nations declared the global body transmitted "a strong political signal" that acknowledged Syria entered "a fresh chapter" after Assad's removal.

Previously, he faced global penalties in his role as head of the religious organization HTS, which was formerly linked to the terrorist network. The US removed HTS from a list of global extremist entities during July.

More Penalties Removed

Additionally, the United Nations lifted restrictions targeting Syria's Interior Minister Minister Anas Khattab.

Syria's foreign minister applauded the lifting of the penalties, stating online: "Syrian officials convey thanks to the United States and to friendly nations for backing of Syria and its people."

Forthcoming Presidential Visit

Sharaa's White House visit on Monday occurs subsequent to US President Donald Trump stated the Middle Eastern president demonstrated "substantial headway" working toward stability to the previously divided state.

The pair met initially this past May, while the American president was in Saudi Arabia while traveling through the Middle East.

After that meeting, America's leader characterized Sharaa as a "tough guy" having a "formative history".

His Islamist group HTS served as al-Qaeda's branch inside the country before he cut connections back in 2016.

Earlier American Trip

Monday's visit will not be his initial visit to the US during this period. This past fall, he became the initial Syrian president to present to the United Nations gathering in New York for nearly six decades.

Throughout his presentation, he said Syria was "reclaiming its rightful place within the global community" and expressed solidarity toward Gaza's residents.

• Syrian leader addresses UN General Assembly initially in almost 60 years
• The high-level talks with President Sharaa, once considered impossible, enhances Syrian aspirations