The United States lifted sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa ahead of a White House meeting with President Donald Trump.

Al-Sharaa, 43, a former member of al Qaeda, was named transitional president after he led rebels against former President Bashar al-Assad in Dec. 2024.

On Friday, he was no longer deemed a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the US State Department which also announced that Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab was being cleared of the same designation by the Department of Treasury.

Syria’s president Ahmed al-Sharaa is no longer designated a terrorist by the United States. REUTERS

“These actions are being taken in recognition of the progress demonstrated by the Syrian leadership after the departure of Bashar al-Assad and more than 50 years of repressi

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