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The UN Security Council approved to an American proposal ending penalties on Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa before his White House visit next week.

He was appointed transitional president following his leadership in a revolutionary movement that drove out the previous leader in winter 2024, concluding 13 years of internal conflict.

America's diplomat Mike Waltz at the United Nations declared the global body transmitted "a powerful diplomatic message" that recognised Syria was in "a new era" since Assad was deposed.

He had been subject to United Nations restrictions as the leader of the Muslim faction the HTS movement, which was formerly linked to al-Qaeda. The US removed HTS from a list of foreign terror groups during July.

Further Restrictions Lifted

The UN also removed sanctions on Syrian Interior Minister Minister Anas Khattab.

Syria's foreign minister expressed satisfaction with the elimination of the penalties, posting on social media: "The nation shows its gratitude to the United States and allied countries for assisting the country and its population."

Forthcoming Presidential Visit

The Syrian leader's Washington trip this coming Monday follows US President Donald Trump said the Syrian leader demonstrated "substantial headway" working toward stability to the conflict-ravaged nation.

Both presidents held discussions initially during May, when Trump visited Riyadh on a tour of the Middle East.

After that meeting, America's leader characterized him as a "resilient figure" possessing a "powerful background".

His Islamist group HTS was al-Qaeda's affiliate within Syria prior to breaking relations back in 2016.

Prior United States Journey

The upcoming meeting is not the president's debut journey to America this year. This past fall, he emerged as the first Syrian leader to address the global assembly in Manhattan for nearly six decades.

During his address, he declared the nation was "reclaiming its rightful place among the nations of the world" while showing support with Palestinian citizens in Gaza.

• Syrian leader presents to international community for first time following approximately sixty years
• The high-level talks with President Sharaa, previously unimaginable, elevates national expectations