UNITED NATIONS
\nWith Pakistan supporting, the UN Security Council Thursday adopted a draft resolution to remove Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab from the Da\u2019esh and Al-Qaeda sanctions list.The US-drafted resolution received 14 votes in favour to none against, with China abstaining.
\nSharaa was named transitional president after leading an offensive that ousted Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, ending 13 years of devastating civil war. He 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.
\nThe 15-member Council\u2019s vote came ahead of Sharaaa\u2019s visit to the White House on Monday and talks with President Donald Trump. United States Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz welcomed the adoption of the resolution, saying, \u201cWith the adoption of this text, the Council is sending a strong political signal that recognizes Syria is in a new era,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cThe delisting of President al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Khattab should help give the Syrian people the greatest chance.\u201d But China\u2019s Ambassador to the UN Fu Cong argued that the resolution failed to address the \u201cthe legitimate concerns of all parties\u201d.
\n\u201cThe sponsor did not fully heed the views of all members and forced the Council to take action even when there were huge differences among Council members in an attempt to serve its own political agenda,\u201d said Fu, referring to the US.\u201dChina stands ready to work with the international community to continue to play a constructive role in achieving security, stability, and development in Syria at an early date,\u201d he added.
\nRussia\u2019s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia emphasized that the \u201cresolution reaffirms the Security Council\u2019s commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic.\u201d \u201cWe expect that these fundamental principles will be adhered to by all members of the international community, including Israel, which continues to play by its own rules and occupy part of Syria\u2019s sovereign territory, including the Golan Heights,\u201d he said.
\nPakistan\u2019s UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad also welcomed the resolution, praising its adoption as step on Syria\u2019s journey ahead \u2014 presenting \u201cimmense opportunities\u201d, as well as challenges. The Pakistani envoy expressed hope the Government would continue to centralize its authority and address security challenges, ultimately helping Syria to emerge as one of the world\u2019s strong and prosperous nations.
\nPakistan, he said, had always emphasized upon the need for providing sanctions relief to allow for Syria\u2019s reconstruction and reintegration with the international community, while also facilitating sustained dialogue and engagement. \u201cThe Syrian people have suffered for more than a decade of conflict, chaos and civil war,\u201d he told the Security Council.
\n\u201cToday\u2019s vote is a welcome step by this Council to signal the support of the international community towards helping the Syrian people transition into a new phase of their political journey through a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process.Ambassador Asim Ahmad warned of the terrorist threat, noting the presence of foreign terrorist fighters continues to threaten security in the country.
\n\u201cWe hope that the Syrian authorities will extend and consolidate centralized authority and stabilize the situation across the country by taking measures necessary to address the security concerns.\u201d Syria hailed the UN Security Council\u2019s decision to remove President al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Khattab from the sanctions list, calling it further proof of Damascus\u2019s growing diplomatic legitimacy.
\nIn a statement on X, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said: \u201cOnce again and not for the last time, Syrian diplomacy reaffirms its active presence and its ability to make steady progress in removing obstacles and paving the way toward a more open and stable Syrian future.\u201dSyria expressed its \u201cappreciation to the US and friendly nations for their support to Syria and its people\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UNITED NATIONS With Pakistan supporting, the UN Security Council Thursday adopted a draft resolution to remove Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab from the Da\u2019esh and Al-Qaeda sanctions list.The US-drafted resolution received 14 votes in favour to none against, with China abstaining. Sharaa was named transitional president after leading an offensive that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-513175","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n