UNSC lifts sanctions on Shara

The resolution brought by the US to the UNSC, requesting the lifting of sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed Shara and Minister of Interior Hattab ahead of Shara's visit to the White House on Monday, November 10, has been adopted.

While 14 UNSC members voted "yes" to the resolution, China abstained.

Speaking after the decision, US Permanent Representative to the UN Mike Waltz thanked the UNSC members and said, "With the adoption of this resolution, the Council is sending a strong political message that recognizes Syria is in a new era."

Waltz stated that under the leadership of President Shara, Syria has been working diligently to fulfill its commitments to combat terrorism and narcotics, eliminate chemical weapons remnants, and promote regional security and stability since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024.

In a report published yesterday by the Associated Press (AP), it was stated that the US was working on a draft resolution text in the UNSC to lift sanctions on Shara and Minister of Interior Hattab ahead of Shara's visit to the White House.

For a draft resolution to be adopted by the UNSC, it must receive the approval of at least 9 of its 15 members and not be vetoed by any of the 5 permanent members (China, Russia, the UK, France, and the US).