🔗 Share this article UN Ends Penalties on Syria's Leader Before Presidential Visit The UN Security Council gave the green light to a US resolution to lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa before his White House visit the following week. He became interim leader after leading a rebel offensive that ousted the previous leader in December 2024, ending 13 years of civil war. Washington's ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz declared the global body transmitted "a powerful diplomatic message" that recognised Syria was in "a different period" after Assad's removal. He had been subject to global penalties as the leader of the Muslim faction the HTS movement, previously associated with the terrorist network. Washington eliminated HTS from a list of global extremist entities during July. More Penalties Removed Furthermore, global sanctions were ended on sanctions on Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab. The Syrian diplomatic chief welcomed the removal of the penalties, posting on social media: "Syrian officials convey thanks to the United States and allied countries for assisting the country and its population." Forthcoming Presidential Visit The Syrian leader's Washington trip on Monday occurs subsequent to American leader Donald Trump remarked that Sharaa achieved "significant advancement" towards bringing peace to the war-torn country. Following their discussion, Trump said Sharaa possessed "a genuine opportunity at pulling it together". The pair met initially during May, during Trump's Riyadh trip while traveling through Arab nations. After that meeting, the US president described him as a "resilient figure" having a "formative history". His former militant faction was al-Qaeda's affiliate inside the country until he severed ties in 2016. Previous US Visit Monday's visit does not represent the president's debut journey to the United States during this period. This past fall, he became the initial Syrian president to address the global assembly at UN headquarters for nearly six decades. In his speech, he stated the country had been "regaining its deserved status within the global community" and demonstrated unity with Palestinian citizens in Gaza. Syrian leader addresses UN General Assembly for first time in almost 60 years The high-level talks with Sharaa, previously unimaginable, boosts Syrians' hopes