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The UN Security Council voted in favour to a United States-backed measure ending penalties on President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria before his White House visit next week.

He was appointed provisional head of state after leading an insurgent campaign that drove out Bashar al-Assad in winter 2024, ending 13 years of internal conflict.

America's diplomat Mike Waltz at the United Nations declared the global body transmitted "an emphatic political statement" that recognised Syria was in "a different period" following Assad's ouster.

Sharaa was under UN sanctions as the leader of the Islamist group HTS, once connected to the terrorist network. Washington eliminated the organization from the catalog of global extremist entities during July.

More Penalties Removed

Additionally, the United Nations lifted restrictions targeting Syria's Interior Minister Minister Anas Khattab.

The Syrian diplomatic chief expressed satisfaction with the elimination of these restrictions, declaring through digital channels: "Syrian officials convey thanks to Washington and allied countries for assisting of Syria and its people."

Imminent Washington Talks

The Syrian leader's Washington trip at the start of the week comes after US President Donald Trump said the Syrian leader achieved "significant advancement" working toward stability to the previously divided state.

Both presidents held discussions for the first time this past May, during Trump's Riyadh trip during a visit to the region.

After that meeting, Trump portrayed the Syrian as a "strong individual" having a "formative history".

His former militant faction operated as the terrorist network's partner in Syria prior to breaking relations back in 2016.

Earlier American Trip

Monday's visit is not Sharaa's first trip to the United States during this period. This past fall, he emerged as the pioneering Middle Eastern head of state to speak before the global assembly in Manhattan for nearly six decades.

Throughout his presentation, he declared the nation was "regaining its deserved status among the nations of the world" while showing support with the people of Gaza.

• The Middle Eastern president speaks before global body on historic occasion following approximately sixty years
• The presidential discussion with President Sharaa, once considered impossible, elevates national expectations