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Security Council representatives approved to a US resolution ending penalties on President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria ahead of his presidential meeting the following week.

He became interim leader subsequent to commanding a rebel offensive that removed Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, concluding over a decade of civil war.

The US representative UN ambassador Mike Waltz stated the United Nations delivered "an emphatic political statement" that affirmed Syria's transition into "a different period" after Assad's removal.

He had been subject to global penalties as the leader of the Islamist group HTS, which was formerly linked to the terrorist network. America delisted HTS from a list of global extremist entities during July.

More Penalties Removed

Additionally, the United Nations lifted sanctions on Syrian Interior Minister Minister Anas Khattab.

The nation's top diplomat applauded the lifting of these restrictions, declaring through digital channels: "Syrian officials convey thanks to Washington and allied countries for assisting the country and its population."

Imminent Washington Talks

President Sharaa's presidential meeting this coming Monday follows American leader Donald Trump stated the Middle Eastern president demonstrated "substantial headway" in establishing peace to the conflict-ravaged nation.

Both presidents held discussions initially during May, when Trump visited Riyadh during a visit to the region.

Following that encounter, America's leader characterized him as a "resilient figure" having a "formative history".

His Islamist group HTS served as al-Qaeda's branch inside the country before he cut connections during 2016.

Prior United States Journey

The upcoming meeting does not represent Sharaa's first trip to the US during this period. In September, he emerged as the pioneering Middle Eastern head of state to speak before the global assembly at UN headquarters for nearly six decades.

Throughout his presentation, he declared the nation was "reclaiming its rightful place within the global community" and demonstrated unity toward Gaza's residents.

• Syrian leader addresses UN General Assembly on historic occasion in almost 60 years
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