The UN Security Council voted on Thursday to remove Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara from the world body’s sanctions list, though veto-wielding China abstained.
Washington had pressed the 15-member council to adopt the resolution for months as part of its broader effort to ease restrictions on Syria. The resolution, which also lifted sanctions on Syria’s Interior Minister Anas Khattab, passed with 14 votes in favour.
Mr Al Shara is expected to visit Washington for a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday – his first visit since assuming the presidency after Syria’s civil war.
Formerly affiliated with Al Qaeda, Mr Shara's Hayat Tahrir Al Sham group was delisted as a terrorist organisation by Washington in July.
Since assuming power, Syria’s leadership has worked to distance itself from its extremist roots, striving to project a more moderate image to ordinary Syrians and the international community.
US ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz told council members that Syria is “working hard to fulfil its commitments on countering terrorism and narcotics, on eliminating any remnants of chemical weapons, and on promoting regional security and stability, as well as an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned
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