Britain lifted sanctions on Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Friday, a day after the United Nations Security Council also removed restrictions on the former rebel leader. The move comes just days before Sharaa is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
UN and UK Remove Restrictions
The British government confirmed the decision in a notice published on its official website, which also announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria’s interior minister, Anas Khattab. Both men had previously been subject to financial sanctions linked to measures targeting Islamic State and al Qaeda.
The U.N. Security Council ended its sanctions against Sharaa and Khattab on Thursday, stating that there was no longer evidence of active connections between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) — the militant group formerly associated with al Qaeda — and the global terror network.
From Rebel Commander to President
Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, assumed Syria’s presidency in January after rebel factions led by HTS ousted longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in a rapid offensive. Once a senior figure in HTS, Sharaa was sanctioned by both the U.N. and Britain in 2014, facing a travel ban, asset freeze, and arms embargo.
Analysts say his rise from a militant commander to Syria’s head of state represents a dramatic shift in the country’s political landscape, as international powers cautiously reassess their engagement with Damascus.
Upcoming White House Meeting
The lifting of restrictions clears the way for Sharaa’s visit to Washington next week, where he is expected to hold talks with President Trump on stabilisation efforts, counterterrorism, and regional reconstruction.
The Syrian government has not yet issued a statement on Britain’s decision. Friday is not a working day in Syria, and officials have so far declined to comment on the recent diplomatic developments.
(with inputs from Reuters)
