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

Sharaa was named transitional president subsequent to commanding a revolutionary movement that drove out the former president in the final month of 2024, ending 13 years of civil war.

America's diplomat Mike Waltz at the United Nations said the UN had sent "a strong political signal" that acknowledged Syria entered "a new era" since Assad was deposed.

Sharaa was under UN sanctions as the leader of the Muslim faction HTS, once connected to al-Qaeda. The US removed HTS from a list of global extremist entities during July.

Further Restrictions Lifted

Furthermore, global sanctions were ended on penalties against the Syrian interior official Minister Anas Khattab.

Syria's foreign minister expressed satisfaction with the elimination of the penalties, declaring through digital channels: "Syria expresses its appreciation to Washington and supportive states for backing the Syrian nation and citizens."

Upcoming White House Meeting

President Sharaa's presidential meeting at the start of the week follows President Trump remarked that Sharaa had made "good progress" in establishing peace to the previously divided state.

The pair met for the first time during May, while the American president was in Saudi Arabia on a tour of the Middle East.

Following that encounter, the US president described the Syrian as a "strong individual" having a "formative history".

The HTS organization he led served as al-Qaeda's branch in Syria before he cut connections during 2016.

Prior United States Journey

This week's diplomatic engagement does not represent his initial visit to the US during this period. During September, he made history as the first Syrian leader to speak before the UN General Assembly in Manhattan in almost 60 years.

In his speech, he said Syria was "restoring its proper position within the global community" and expressed solidarity toward Gaza's residents.

• Syrian leader speaks before global body for first time in almost 60 years
• Trump's meeting with President Sharaa, previously unimaginable, boosts Syrians' hopes