🔗 Share this article UN Removes Restrictions on President of Syria Before Presidential Visit United Nations Security Council members approved to a United States-backed measure to lift sanctions on President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria before his White House visit next week. Sharaa was named interim leader after leading a revolutionary movement that ousted the previous leader in winter 2024, bringing to a close thirteen long years of domestic strife. The US representative UN ambassador Mike Waltz stated the United Nations delivered "an emphatic political statement" that recognised Syria was in "a fresh chapter" following Assad's ouster. Previously, he faced UN sanctions in his role as head of the religious organization HTS, which was formerly linked to al-Qaeda. The US removed the organization from the catalog of global extremist entities this past July. More Penalties Removed The UN also removed penalties against the Syrian interior official the interior minister. The Syrian diplomatic chief applauded the lifting of the penalties, posting on social media: "The nation shows its gratitude to the United States and allied countries for backing of Syria and its people." Upcoming White House Meeting Sharaa's White House visit at the start of the week comes after US President Donald Trump said the Syrian leader demonstrated "substantial headway" in establishing peace to the previously divided state. After the meeting, the US president stated Sharaa had "a real shot for national reconciliation". The pair met on their first occasion this past May, when Trump visited Riyadh during a visit to the Middle East. Following that encounter, the US president described the Syrian as a "strong individual" possessing a "powerful background". His former militant faction served as al-Qaeda's branch in Syria prior to breaking relations in 2016. Earlier American Trip Monday's visit is not Sharaa's first trip to the United States this year. In September, he made history as the first Syrian leader to speak before the UN General Assembly in New York in almost 60 years. During his address, he stated the country had been "regaining its deserved status within the global community" and expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza. President Sharaa presents to international community on historic occasion after nearly six decades The presidential discussion with the Syrian leader, unthinkable just months ago, enhances Syrian aspirations