US Urges UN To Lift Sanctions On Syrian Leader Ahead Of Washington Visit

The US has proposed a UN Security Council resolution to lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab. This proposal comes ahead of al-Sharaa's planned White House meeting with President Trump. UN sanctions currently include a travel ban, asset freeze, and arms embargo. A vote requires nine affirmative votes and no vetoes from the five permanent members. Washington has been pushing for the removal of sanctions on Syria for months. Al-Sharaa became president after HTS-led militants won the Syrian civil war, deposing Bashar al-Assad. Trump previously rescinded unilateral US sanctions on Syria, excluding sanctions on Assad and other leaders. The Trump administration also revoked the foreign terrorist organization designation for HTS, citing a lack of active ties between al-Qaeda and HTS. Trump met with al-Sharaa earlier this year, urging him to join the Abraham Accords and address terrorism concerns.