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The UN Security Council voted in favour to a United States-backed measure removing restrictions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa ahead of his White House visit the following week.

Sharaa was named transitional president after leading a revolutionary movement that ousted the former president in the final month of 2024, concluding 13 years of domestic strife.

America's diplomat UN ambassador Mike Waltz stated the United Nations delivered "a powerful diplomatic message" that recognised Syria was in "a different period" following Assad's ouster.

Sharaa was under UN sanctions in his role as head of the religious organization HTS, previously associated with the terrorist network. America delisted HTS from a list of foreign terror groups in July.

Additional Sanctions Relief

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

The Syrian diplomatic chief applauded the lifting of the sanctions, posting on social media: "The nation shows its gratitude toward America and to friendly nations for backing the Syrian nation and citizens."

Imminent Washington Talks

The Syrian leader's Washington trip at the start of the week follows President Trump said the Syrian leader demonstrated "substantial headway" towards bringing peace to the previously divided state.

The pair met on their first occasion this past May, while the American president was in Saudi Arabia while traveling through Arab nations.

After that meeting, the US president described Sharaa as a "tough guy" with a "very strong past".

His Islamist group HTS operated as the terrorist network's partner within Syria before he cut connections in 2016.

Previous US Visit

Monday's visit is not Sharaa's first trip to the US during this period. During September, he became the pioneering Middle Eastern head of state to present to the UN General Assembly in New York for nearly six decades.

In his speech, he stated the country had been "regaining its deserved status across international circles" and demonstrated unity toward Gaza's residents.

• The Middle Eastern president addresses UN General Assembly for first time after nearly six decades
• The high-level talks with Sharaa, once considered impossible, elevates national expectations