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United Nations Security Council members voted in favour to an American proposal removing restrictions on Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa ahead of his White House visit the following week.

Sharaa was named provisional head of state after leading a rebel offensive that drove out the former president in December 2024, bringing to a close 13 years of civil war.

America's diplomat UN ambassador Mike Waltz declared the global body transmitted "a strong political signal" that recognised Syria was in "a different period" following Assad's ouster.

Sharaa was under United Nations restrictions in his role as head of the Muslim faction HTS, once connected to the terrorist network. America delisted HTS from a list of international terrorist organizations this past July.

More Penalties Removed

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

Syria's foreign minister expressed satisfaction with the elimination of the sanctions, posting on social media: "Syrian officials convey thanks toward America and to friendly nations for backing the Syrian nation and citizens."

Upcoming White House Meeting

Sharaa's White House visit on Monday comes after President Trump stated the Middle Eastern president had made "good progress" towards bringing peace to the conflict-ravaged nation.

The pair met for the first time during May, during Trump's Riyadh trip on a tour of the region.

Subsequent to that discussion, America's leader characterized the Syrian as a "strong individual" possessing a "powerful background".

His former militant faction served as al-Qaeda's branch within Syria before he cut connections back in 2016.

Previous US Visit

This week's diplomatic engagement does not represent Sharaa's first trip to the United States in the current year. In September, he became the pioneering Middle Eastern head of state to present to the UN General Assembly in Manhattan for nearly six decades.

Throughout his presentation, he declared the nation was "regaining its deserved status within the global community" while showing support toward Gaza's residents.

• Syrian leader speaks before global body on historic occasion following approximately sixty years
• Trump's meeting with Sharaa, previously unimaginable, enhances Syrian aspirations