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

Sharaa was named transitional president following his leadership in a revolutionary movement that removed the previous leader in December 2024, concluding over a decade of internal conflict.

Washington's ambassador Mike Waltz at the United Nations said the UN had sent "a powerful diplomatic message" that affirmed Syria's transition into "a new era" since Assad was deposed.

He had been subject to global penalties as the leader of the religious organization HTS, which was formerly linked to the terrorist network. Washington eliminated the organization from the catalog of foreign terror groups during July.

Additional Sanctions Relief

Additionally, the United Nations lifted restrictions targeting Syria's Interior Minister the interior minister.

The Syrian diplomatic chief expressed satisfaction with the elimination of the sanctions, stating online: "Syria expresses its appreciation to the United States and allied countries for assisting the country and its population."

Imminent Washington Talks

President Sharaa's presidential meeting this coming Monday comes after American leader Donald Trump stated the Middle Eastern president achieved "significant advancement" in establishing peace to the conflict-ravaged nation.

Both presidents held discussions for the first time in May, when Trump visited Riyadh during a visit to the region.

Subsequent to that discussion, America's leader characterized him as a "resilient figure" possessing a "powerful background".

The HTS organization he led was al-Qaeda's affiliate within Syria until he severed ties in 2016.

Previous US Visit

The upcoming meeting will not be Sharaa's first trip to the US in the current year. This past fall, he became the first Syrian leader to address the UN General Assembly in New York in almost 60 years.

In his speech, he said Syria was "regaining its deserved status within the global community" while showing support with Palestinian citizens in Gaza.

• The Middle Eastern president speaks before global body for first time following approximately sixty years
• The presidential discussion with the Syrian leader, once considered impossible, boosts Syrians' hopes