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United Nations Security Council members voted in favour to a US resolution removing restrictions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa ahead of his presidential meeting next week.

He was appointed provisional head of state after leading a revolutionary movement that removed the former president in the final month of 2024, concluding over a decade of internal conflict.

Washington's ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz declared the global body transmitted "a strong political signal" that recognised Syria was in "a fresh chapter" since Assad was deposed.

Sharaa was under United Nations restrictions as the leader of the religious organization HTS, previously associated with al-Qaeda. The US removed the group from its registry of global extremist entities during July.

Further Restrictions Lifted

The UN also removed restrictions targeting Syria's Interior Minister the interior minister.

Syria's foreign minister applauded the lifting of the penalties, stating online: "The nation shows its gratitude to Washington and to friendly nations for assisting the Syrian nation and citizens."

Imminent Washington Talks

President Sharaa's presidential meeting on Monday comes after American leader Donald Trump stated the Middle Eastern president demonstrated "substantial headway" in establishing peace to the previously divided state.

The pair met on their first occasion in May, when Trump visited Riyadh during a visit to the Middle East.

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

The HTS organization he led operated as the terrorist network's partner inside the country before he cut connections in 2016.

Prior United States Journey

This week's diplomatic engagement will not be the president's debut journey to America in the current year. This past fall, he emerged as the initial Syrian president to present to the UN General Assembly in Manhattan for nearly six decades.

In his speech, he stated the country had been "reclaiming its rightful place across international circles" and expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza.

• The Middle Eastern president speaks before global body initially following approximately sixty years
• The presidential discussion with President Sharaa, unthinkable just months ago, boosts Syrians' hopes