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The UN Security Council approved to an American proposal ending penalties on Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa prior to his presidential meeting the following week.

He was appointed transitional president after leading a revolutionary movement that ousted the previous leader in December 2024, bringing to a close thirteen long years of internal conflict.

The US representative to the UN Mike Waltz declared the global body transmitted "an emphatic political statement" that acknowledged Syria entered "a new era" following Assad's ouster.

Sharaa was under global penalties in his role as head of the Islamist group HTS, once connected to the extremist organization. America delisted HTS from a list of international terrorist organizations in July.

Further Restrictions Lifted

Additionally, the United Nations lifted sanctions on Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab.

The Syrian diplomatic chief applauded the lifting of the penalties, stating online: "The nation shows its gratitude to Washington and allied countries for backing the country and its population."

Imminent Washington Talks

President Sharaa's presidential meeting on Monday follows American leader Donald Trump said the Syrian leader had made "good progress" towards bringing peace to the previously divided state.

Both presidents held discussions initially this past May, while the American president was in Saudi Arabia on a tour of Arab nations.

Subsequent to that discussion, the US president described Sharaa as a "tough guy" possessing a "powerful background".

His Islamist group HTS was al-Qaeda's affiliate inside the country prior to breaking relations during 2016.

Earlier American Trip

Monday's visit does not represent Sharaa's first trip to the United States during this period. During September, he emerged as the initial Syrian president to address the UN General Assembly in New York in almost 60 years.

In his speech, he said Syria was "restoring its proper position among the nations of the world" while showing support with the people of Gaza.

• President Sharaa speaks before global body initially following approximately sixty years
• The high-level talks with President Sharaa, previously unimaginable, elevates national expectations