The UN Security Council has voted in favour of a US resolution to lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa ahead of his White House visit next week.

Axar.az informs, citing BBC, Sharaa was named transitional president after leading a rebel offensive that ousted Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, ending 13 years of civil war.

Washington's ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said the UN had sent a "strong political signal" that recognised Syria was in a "new era" since Assad was deposed.

Sharaa was under UN sanctions as the leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was formerly linked to al-Qaeda. The US removed HTS from a list of foreign terror groups in July.

The UN also removed sanctions on Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab.

Syria's foreign minister welcomed the removal of the sanctions, posting on social media: "Syria expresses its appreciation to the United States and to friendly nations for their support of Syria and its people."