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

He became provisional head of state following his leadership in a rebel offensive that removed the former president in the final month of 2024, bringing to a close 13 years of internal conflict.

The US representative Mike Waltz at the United Nations declared the global body transmitted "a strong political signal" that recognised Syria was in "a new era" following Assad's ouster.

Previously, he faced UN sanctions as the leader of the Muslim faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was formerly linked to the terrorist network. The US removed HTS from a list of international terrorist organizations in July.

More Penalties Removed

Furthermore, global sanctions were ended on penalties against the Syrian interior official Anas Khattab.

Syria's foreign minister applauded the lifting of the penalties, posting on social media: "Syria expresses its appreciation to the United States and supportive states for their support the Syrian nation and citizens."

Upcoming White House Meeting

The Syrian leader's Washington trip at the start of the week comes after President Trump said the Syrian leader achieved "significant advancement" towards bringing peace to the previously divided state.

The pair met on their first occasion this past May, when Trump visited Riyadh while traveling through Arab nations.

After that meeting, the US president described him as a "resilient figure" having a "formative history".

His Islamist group HTS operated as the terrorist network's partner within Syria prior to breaking relations during 2016.

Earlier American Trip

This week's diplomatic engagement is not his initial visit to the United States during this period. During September, he made history as the initial Syrian president to speak before the United Nations gathering in New York after approximately sixty years.

Throughout his presentation, he declared the nation was "restoring its proper position within the global community" and expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza.

• President Sharaa presents to international community for first time in almost 60 years
• Trump's meeting with Sharaa, once considered impossible, elevates national expectations