In brief
In a significant development, the UN Security Council has agreed to lift sanctions previously imposed on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, clearing the way for his visit to the White House next week. This decision is viewed as a recognition of the new political landscape in Syria following the end of its civil war and the removal of Bashar al-Assad from power. Sharaa, who used to lead an Islamist group linked to al-Qaeda, is now heralded for his role in establishing a peaceful transition in Syria. The move highlights the evolving diplomatic dynamics between the US and Syria.
The UN Security Council has voted in favor of a US resolution to lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa ahead of his White House visit next week.
Sharaa was named transitional president after leading a rebel offensive that ousted Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, ending 13 years of civil war.
Washington's ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, stated that the UN had sent a strong political signal acknowledging that Syria is in a new era since Assad was deposed.
Sharaa was under UN sanctions as the leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was previously linked to al-Qaeda. However, in July, the US removed HTS from its list of foreign terror groups.
The UN also removed sanctions on Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab.
Syria's foreign minister expressed gratitude for the removal of sanctions via social media, stating: Syria expresses its appreciation to the United States and to friendly nations for their support of Syria and its people.
Sharaa's upcoming White House visit follows US President Donald Trump's acknowledgment of Sharaa's efforts in pursuing peace in the war-torn country.
The two leaders had their first meeting in May when Trump visited Riyadh.
After that meeting, Trump described Sharaa as a tough guy with a very strong past. His group, HTS, was aligned with al-Qaeda until he distanced himself from the organization in 2016.
This won't be Sharaa's first visit to the US this year; he addressed the UN General Assembly in September, marking the first time a Syrian leader has done so in nearly sixty years.
In his speech, he declared that Syria was reclaiming its rightful place among the nations of the world and expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza.
