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United Nations Security Council members approved to a US resolution ending penalties on Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa prior to his White House visit the following week.

He became transitional president after leading a revolutionary movement that ousted the previous leader in the final month of 2024, bringing to a close over a decade of civil war.

Washington's ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz declared the global body transmitted "a strong political signal" that recognised Syria was in "a new era" after Assad's removal.

He had been subject to United Nations restrictions as the leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was formerly linked to the terrorist network. America delisted the group from its registry of foreign terror groups during July.

More Penalties Removed

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

Syria's foreign minister applauded the lifting of the penalties, posting on social media: "The nation shows its gratitude to Washington and to friendly nations for their support of Syria and its people."

Imminent Washington Talks

The Syrian leader's Washington trip at the start of the week comes after American leader Donald Trump stated the Middle Eastern president achieved "significant advancement" working toward stability to the conflict-ravaged nation.

The pair met initially this past May, during Trump's Riyadh trip on a tour of Arab nations.

Following that encounter, Trump portrayed the Syrian as a "strong individual" with a "very strong past".

His Islamist group HTS was al-Qaeda's affiliate inside the country until he severed ties in 2016.

Prior United States Journey

The upcoming meeting is not the president's debut journey to the United States during this period. During September, he made history as the pioneering Middle Eastern head of state to present to the global assembly in New York after approximately sixty years.

In his speech, he declared the nation was "regaining its deserved status among the nations of the world" and expressed solidarity toward Gaza's residents.

• President Sharaa addresses UN General Assembly initially after nearly six decades
• The presidential discussion with the Syrian leader, once considered impossible, enhances Syrian aspirations