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Security Council representatives voted in favour to a United States-backed measure ending penalties on Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa before his White House visit the coming week.

Sharaa was named provisional head of state following his leadership in an insurgent campaign that removed the former president in the final month of 2024, concluding thirteen long years of domestic strife.

America's diplomat UN ambassador Mike Waltz stated the United Nations delivered "a powerful diplomatic message" that recognised Syria was in "a different period" after Assad's removal.

Previously, he faced United Nations restrictions while commanding the Muslim faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), previously associated with al-Qaeda. The US removed the group from its registry of international terrorist organizations in July.

More Penalties Removed

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

The nation's top diplomat welcomed the removal of the penalties, declaring through digital channels: "Syria expresses its appreciation to Washington and supportive states for their support of Syria and its people."

Upcoming White House Meeting

President Sharaa's presidential meeting at the start of the week follows American leader Donald Trump remarked that Sharaa demonstrated "substantial headway" in establishing peace to the war-torn 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 him as a "resilient figure" possessing a "powerful background".

His Islamist group HTS served as al-Qaeda's branch in Syria before he cut connections during 2016.

Previous US Visit

This week's diplomatic engagement does not represent Sharaa's first trip to the United States in the current year. In September, he made history as the first Syrian leader to speak before the United Nations gathering at UN headquarters in almost 60 years.

During his address, he declared the nation was "reclaiming its rightful place within the global community" and expressed solidarity toward Gaza's residents.

• Syrian leader speaks before global body on historic occasion following approximately sixty years
• The presidential discussion with President Sharaa, previously unimaginable, elevates national expectations