The United States on Friday lifted sanctions imposed on Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, a day after the United Nations Security Council made a similar decision, ahead of his scheduled meeting next week with U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to a notice published on the U.S. Treasury Department’s website, Washington removed the “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” designation applied to al-Sharaa and Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab.
The UN Security Council had approved on Thursday the removal of al-Sharaa from the international sanctions list, following a draft resolution submitted by the United States.
The text, adopted with 14 votes in favor and one abstention (China), also lifts sanctions targeting Interior Minister Anas Khattab.
Diplomats said the move represents recognition of the “new chapter” underway in Syria since the fall of the Assad regime.
The Arab Group at the UN welcomed the resolution as a “crucial turning point” toward strengthening Syrian institutions, while representatives of France, the United Kingdom, and Russia described it as a “pivotal moment” and an “opportunity for recovery” for the country.
The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised the decision, calling it a reflection of the “unity of the international position in support of Syria’s stability, sovereignty, and independence.”
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