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The UN Security Council approved to a United States-backed measure removing restrictions on Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa before his White House visit next week.

He became provisional head of state following his leadership in a rebel offensive that ousted the previous leader in the final month of 2024, ending over a decade of civil war.

America's diplomat Mike Waltz at the United Nations said the UN had sent "a strong political signal" that recognised Syria was in "a different period" following Assad's ouster.

He had been subject to UN sanctions in his role as head of the Islamist group the HTS movement, once connected to the terrorist network. The US removed the group from its registry of foreign terror groups this past July.

Additional Sanctions Relief

Additionally, the United Nations lifted penalties against the Syrian interior official the interior minister.

The Syrian diplomatic chief welcomed the removal of the sanctions, stating online: "Syria expresses its appreciation to Washington and allied countries for assisting the Syrian nation and citizens."

Upcoming White House Meeting

President Sharaa's presidential meeting this coming Monday occurs subsequent to President Trump remarked that Sharaa had made "good progress" towards bringing peace to the conflict-ravaged nation.

The pair met for the first time this past May, during Trump's Riyadh trip on a tour of 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 within Syria before he cut connections during 2016.

Earlier American Trip

This week's diplomatic engagement does not represent Sharaa's first trip to the US in the current year. In September, he became the pioneering Middle Eastern head of state to speak before the United Nations gathering at UN headquarters for nearly six decades.

During his address, he said Syria 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 after nearly six decades
• Trump's meeting with President Sharaa, once considered impossible, enhances Syrian aspirations