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The UN Security Council voted in favour to a US resolution to lift sanctions on President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria before his presidential meeting the following week.

He became interim leader after leading an insurgent campaign that removed Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, concluding thirteen long years of civil war.

America's diplomat UN ambassador Mike Waltz declared the global body transmitted "a powerful diplomatic message" that acknowledged Syria entered "a new era" following Assad's ouster.

Previously, he faced global penalties in his role as head of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), previously associated with the terrorist network. The US removed the group from its registry of global extremist entities this past July.

Additional Sanctions Relief

Additionally, the United Nations lifted penalties against the Syrian interior official the interior minister.

The nation's top diplomat applauded the lifting of the sanctions, posting on social media: "Syria expresses its appreciation toward America and allied countries for assisting of Syria and its people."

Imminent Washington Talks

President Sharaa's presidential meeting on Monday occurs subsequent to President Trump said the Syrian leader achieved "significant advancement" towards bringing peace to the war-torn country.

The two leaders convened for the first time this past May, during Trump's Riyadh trip while traveling through the Middle East.

Subsequent to that discussion, Trump portrayed the Syrian as a "strong individual" with a "very strong past".

His former militant faction was al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria until he severed ties back in 2016.

Prior United States Journey

Monday's visit is not Sharaa's first trip to the United States in the current year. During September, he made history as the pioneering Middle Eastern head of state to speak before the United Nations gathering in Manhattan after approximately sixty years.

During his address, he declared the nation was "reclaiming its rightful place within the global community" while showing support with the people of Gaza.

• The Middle Eastern president speaks before global body for first time in almost 60 years
• The presidential discussion with President Sharaa, previously unimaginable, boosts Syrians' hopes