đź”— Share this article UN Lifts Penalties on Syrian President Before White House Visit The UN Security Council gave the green light to an American proposal removing restrictions on Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa ahead of his presidential meeting the coming week. He was appointed interim leader after leading a rebel offensive that ousted Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, bringing to a close over a decade of civil war. The US representative Mike Waltz at the United Nations stated the United Nations delivered "a powerful diplomatic message" that acknowledged Syria entered "a new era" following Assad's ouster. Previously, he faced UN sanctions while commanding the Islamist group the HTS movement, previously associated with the terrorist network. The US removed the organization from the catalog of global extremist entities this past July. Additional Sanctions Relief Additionally, the United Nations lifted restrictions targeting Syria's Interior Minister the interior minister. The Syrian diplomatic chief expressed satisfaction with the elimination of the sanctions, declaring through digital channels: "The nation shows its gratitude toward America and allied countries for their support of Syria and its people." Imminent Washington Talks Sharaa's White House visit at the start of the week follows US President Donald Trump said the Syrian leader demonstrated "substantial headway" working toward stability to the previously divided state. Subsequent to their talks, the US president stated Sharaa had "a real shot to unify the country". The two leaders convened on their first occasion this past May, while the American president was in Saudi Arabia while traveling through the Middle East. After that meeting, America's leader characterized the Syrian as a "strong individual" having a "formative history". His Islamist group HTS operated as the terrorist network's partner inside the country until he severed ties back in 2016. Earlier American Trip Monday's visit will not be the president's debut journey to the US this year. During September, he made history as the pioneering Middle Eastern head of state to present to the global assembly at UN headquarters for nearly six decades. Throughout his presentation, he said Syria was "reclaiming its rightful place among the nations of the world" and expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza. President Sharaa addresses UN General Assembly initially after nearly six decades Trump's meeting with Sharaa, unthinkable just months ago, boosts Syrians' hopes