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The UN Security Council voted in favour to a United States-backed measure removing restrictions on President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria prior to his presidential meeting next week.

He was appointed provisional head of state after leading an insurgent campaign that ousted the previous leader in December 2024, bringing to a close over a decade of domestic strife.

Washington's ambassador Mike Waltz at the United Nations said the UN had sent "an emphatic political statement" that recognised Syria was in "a different period" after Assad's removal.

Previously, he faced UN sanctions in his role as head of the Muslim faction the HTS movement, once connected to the extremist organization. The US removed the organization from the catalog of foreign terror groups during July.

Additional Sanctions Relief

Additionally, the United Nations lifted restrictions targeting Syria's Interior Minister the interior minister.

The Syrian diplomatic chief applauded the lifting of the sanctions, posting on social media: "Syria expresses its appreciation to Washington and to friendly nations for their support the country and its population."

Upcoming White House Meeting

The Syrian leader's Washington trip on Monday occurs subsequent to American leader Donald Trump stated the Middle Eastern president demonstrated "substantial headway" working toward stability to the conflict-ravaged nation.

The two leaders convened initially during May, during Trump's Riyadh trip while traveling through the Middle East.

After that meeting, Trump portrayed Sharaa as a "tough guy" with a "very strong past".

His former militant faction served as al-Qaeda's branch in Syria before he cut connections in 2016.

Earlier American Trip

Monday's visit will not be the president's debut journey to the US this year. During September, he made history as the initial Syrian president to speak before the United Nations gathering in New York for nearly six decades.

Throughout his presentation, he said Syria was "reclaiming its rightful place among the nations of the world" and expressed solidarity with Palestinian citizens in Gaza.

• President Sharaa presents to international community for first time in almost 60 years
• The high-level talks with President Sharaa, previously unimaginable, enhances Syrian aspirations