Newsletters
The United Nations Security Council voted on Thursday to lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Hasan Khattab, with 14 votes in favor and one abstention from China.
The decision removes the two officials from the Daesh and Al-Qaeda sanctions list, including the removal of asset freezes and arms embargoes on both figures.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, praised the decision, emphasizing that the delisting of President Sharaa and Minister Khattab marks a significant step towards fostering peace and stability in Syria. Waltz stated that this move would provide the Syrian people with "the greatest chance" for rebuilding their country and achieving long-term peace. He noted that the resolution sends a strong political message, recognizing Syria’s transition to a new era under its current leadership.
China, while abstaining from the vote, expressed significant concerns about the resolution, arguing that it did not adequately address the legitimate security and political concerns of all parties involved. Beijing's representative, Fu Cong, called for a more balanced approach in dealing with Syria, one that takes into account the diverse views of the Security Council members.
Fu stressed that the resolution was pushed forward by the U.S. despite considerable differences within the council, suggesting that it may have been influenced by Washington’s own political agenda rather than a broader consensus.
Russia's Ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, emphasized that the resolution reaffirms the council's commitment to upholding Syria’s independence and unity.
Nebenzia also took the opportunity to criticize Israel's continued military presence and territorial occupation in the Golan Heights, a region Syria claims as its own. He urged the international community to hold Israel accountable for its actions and to respect Syria’s sovereignty in line with UN resolutions.
Syria welcomed the UN Security Council’s decision on Thursday to lift sanctions, seeing it as a significant step in enhancing the country’s diplomatic standing. In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani emphasized that the move further solidified Syria’s growing international legitimacy, highlighting the country's diplomatic progress.
"We consider it a sign of a growing confidence in the new Syria, its people and its leadership; a growing confidence in its constructive and sincere approach in dealing with the Security Council and the international community," he said.
The resolution precedes al-Sharaa's expected visit to the White House next week, where he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump. Since assuming office in January 2025 following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, Sharaa is set to discuss several key topics with Trump during the visit. The topics include the possibility of lifting remaining sanctions, the reconstruction of Syria’s war-torn infrastructure, and ongoing counter-terrorism efforts. Additionally, Syria’s relationship with Israel, with which it remains technically at war, is also expected to be addressed.
The Trump administration had previously expressed hope that Syria could eventually join the Abraham Accords, a diplomatic framework that normalizes relations between Israel and several Arab nations.
Sharaa's upcoming visit to Washington will be his second trip to the United States, following his historic address to the UN General Assembly in September 2025, making him the first Syrian president in decades to do so.
1 min read
2 min read
