🔗 Share this article UN Removes Sanctions on President of Syria Prior to Presidential Visit The UN Security Council approved to an American proposal removing restrictions on President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria before his presidential meeting the coming week. He was appointed transitional president after leading a revolutionary movement that ousted Bashar al-Assad in the final month of 2024, bringing to a close thirteen long years of domestic strife. The US representative Mike Waltz at the United Nations declared the global body transmitted "a powerful diplomatic message" that affirmed Syria's transition into "a new era" since Assad was deposed. He had been subject to UN sanctions in his role as head of the religious organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), previously associated with the extremist organization. America delisted the group from its registry of foreign terror groups in July. Additional Sanctions Relief The UN also removed penalties against the Syrian interior official Minister Anas Khattab. The Syrian diplomatic chief applauded the lifting of the sanctions, stating online: "Syria expresses its appreciation toward America and allied countries for backing the Syrian nation and citizens." Imminent Washington Talks President Sharaa's presidential meeting this coming Monday occurs subsequent to President Trump stated the Middle Eastern president had made "good progress" towards bringing peace to the conflict-ravaged nation. Following their discussion, Trump remarked the Syrian leader had "a legitimate chance for national reconciliation". Both presidents held discussions for the first time in May, when Trump visited Riyadh on a tour of the Middle East. After that meeting, the US president described Sharaa as a "tough guy" having a "formative history". His former militant faction operated as the terrorist network's partner inside the country before he cut connections back in 2016. Previous US Visit Monday's visit does not represent his initial visit to the United States during this period. This past fall, he became the first Syrian leader to present to the global assembly in Manhattan for nearly six decades. During his address, he stated the country had been "reclaiming its rightful place within the global community" and expressed solidarity toward Gaza's residents. The Middle Eastern president speaks before global body on historic occasion after nearly six decades Trump's meeting with Sharaa, unthinkable just months ago, enhances Syrian aspirations