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The UN Security Council approved to a United States-backed measure to lift sanctions on Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa before his presidential meeting the following week.

He became transitional president following his leadership in a rebel offensive that drove out the previous leader in the final month of 2024, ending over a decade of domestic strife.

Washington's ambassador UN ambassador Mike Waltz stated the United Nations delivered "a powerful diplomatic message" that recognised Syria was in "a new era" since Assad was deposed.

Sharaa was under United Nations restrictions in his role as head of the Islamist group HTS, which was formerly linked to al-Qaeda. The US removed the group from its registry of foreign terror groups during July.

Further Restrictions Lifted

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

Syria's foreign minister welcomed the removal of the penalties, posting on social media: "The nation shows its gratitude to Washington and to friendly nations for their support the country and its population."

Forthcoming Presidential Visit

Sharaa's White House visit this coming Monday follows American leader Donald Trump stated the Middle Eastern president had made "good progress" towards bringing peace to the conflict-ravaged nation.

The two leaders convened on their first occasion during May, while the American president was in Saudi Arabia during a visit to the region.

Following that encounter, Trump portrayed him as a "resilient figure" possessing a "powerful background".

His former militant faction operated as the terrorist network's partner inside the country before he cut connections during 2016.

Previous US Visit

Monday's visit does not represent the president's debut journey to America during this period. In September, he emerged as the first Syrian leader to address the United Nations gathering at UN headquarters in almost 60 years.

During his address, he declared the nation was "regaining its deserved status among the nations of the world" and demonstrated unity toward Gaza's residents.

• The Middle Eastern president addresses UN General Assembly for first time after nearly six decades
• The presidential discussion with Sharaa, previously unimaginable, elevates national expectations