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Security Council representatives voted in favour to an American proposal removing restrictions on President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria before his Washington trip the coming week.

He became interim leader following his leadership in a revolutionary movement that ousted Bashar al-Assad in the final month of 2024, concluding 13 years of domestic strife.

The US representative Mike Waltz at the United Nations stated the United Nations delivered "a powerful diplomatic message" that affirmed Syria's transition into "a different period" after Assad's removal.

Previously, he faced United Nations restrictions in his role as head of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), previously associated with the extremist organization. Washington eliminated the organization from the catalog of international terrorist organizations this past July.

Further Restrictions Lifted

The UN also removed penalties against the Syrian interior official Anas Khattab.

Syria's foreign minister welcomed the removal of the penalties, posting on social media: "Syrian officials convey thanks to the United States and allied countries for backing of Syria and its people."

Forthcoming Presidential Visit

The Syrian leader's Washington trip on Monday comes after President Trump said the Syrian leader had made "good progress" in establishing peace to the previously divided state.

The two leaders convened for the first time during May, while the American president was in Saudi Arabia during a visit to the region.

Following that encounter, the US president described Sharaa as a "tough guy" possessing a "powerful background".

The HTS organization he led served as al-Qaeda's branch within Syria prior to breaking relations back in 2016.

Earlier American Trip

The upcoming meeting is not Sharaa's first trip to the US this year. In September, he became the first Syrian leader to address the UN General Assembly in New York for nearly six decades.

Throughout his presentation, he said Syria was "regaining its deserved status among the nations of the world" and demonstrated unity with the people of Gaza.

• Syrian leader addresses UN General Assembly on historic occasion in almost 60 years
• The high-level talks with the Syrian leader, once considered impossible, boosts Syrians' hopes