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The UN Security Council gave the green light to a US resolution removing restrictions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa before his White House visit next week.

Sharaa was named provisional head of state after leading a revolutionary movement that removed the former president in December 2024, bringing to a close over a decade of civil war.

Washington's ambassador Mike Waltz at the United Nations stated the United Nations delivered "an emphatic political statement" that acknowledged Syria entered "a new era" after Assad's removal.

He had been subject to UN sanctions while commanding the Muslim faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was formerly linked to al-Qaeda. Washington eliminated the group from its registry of foreign terror groups in July.

Additional Sanctions Relief

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

The nation's top diplomat expressed satisfaction with the elimination of these restrictions, posting on social media: "The nation shows its gratitude to Washington and supportive states for backing the Syrian nation and citizens."

Imminent Washington Talks

Sharaa's White House visit this coming Monday comes after American leader Donald Trump stated the Middle Eastern president demonstrated "substantial headway" in establishing peace to the war-torn country.

Both presidents held discussions on their first occasion during May, during Trump's Riyadh trip during a visit to Arab nations.

After that meeting, Trump portrayed Sharaa as a "tough guy" having a "formative history".

His former militant faction was al-Qaeda's affiliate inside the country prior to breaking relations back in 2016.

Prior United States Journey

This week's diplomatic engagement is not his initial visit to the US this year. During September, he became the first Syrian leader to address the global assembly in Manhattan in almost 60 years.

In his speech, he said Syria was "restoring its proper position within the global community" while showing support toward Gaza's residents.

• The Middle Eastern president speaks before global body for first time in almost 60 years
• Trump's meeting with President Sharaa, once considered impossible, enhances Syrian aspirations