UNITED NATIONS, NOV 7 (APP/DNA):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’esh 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 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.
The 15-member Council’s vote came ahead of Sharaaa’s 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, “With the adoption of this text, the Council is sending a strong political signal that recognizes Syria is in a new era,” he said.
“The delisting of President al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Khattab should help give the Syrian people the greatest chance.”
But China’s Ambassador to the UN Fu Cong argued that the resolution failed to address the “the legitimate concerns of all parties”.
“The 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,” said Fu, referring to the US.
“China 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,” he added.
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