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Security Council representatives gave the green light to a United States-backed measure removing restrictions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa ahead of his White House visit the following week.

Sharaa was named interim leader following his leadership in a revolutionary movement that drove out the former president in winter 2024, ending 13 years of internal conflict.

Washington's ambassador Mike Waltz at the United Nations stated the United Nations delivered "a powerful diplomatic message" that acknowledged Syria entered "a different period" after Assad's removal.

Sharaa was under United Nations restrictions as the leader of the religious organization HTS, previously associated with al-Qaeda. America delisted the group from its registry of international terrorist organizations this past July.

Additional Sanctions Relief

The UN also removed sanctions on Syrian Interior Minister the interior minister.

The nation's top diplomat expressed satisfaction with the elimination of the sanctions, posting on social media: "Syrian officials convey thanks to Washington and supportive states for assisting the Syrian nation and citizens."

Imminent Washington Talks

The Syrian leader's Washington trip on Monday follows US President Donald Trump stated the Middle Eastern president had made "good progress" in establishing peace to the previously divided state.

Both presidents held discussions on their first occasion this past May, while the American president was in Saudi Arabia while traveling through the Middle East.

After that meeting, the US president described him as a "resilient figure" having a "formative history".

His Islamist group HTS served as al-Qaeda's branch within Syria prior to breaking relations during 2016.

Prior United States Journey

Monday's visit will not be Sharaa's first trip to the United States in the current year. In September, he became the first Syrian leader to present to the UN General Assembly in Manhattan for nearly six decades.

In his speech, he stated the country had been "regaining its deserved status across international circles" while showing support with Palestinian citizens in Gaza.

• President Sharaa speaks before global body initially after nearly six decades
• The high-level talks with the Syrian leader, once considered impossible, enhances Syrian aspirations