The UN Security Council voted Thursday to lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab, following a US-sponsored resolution backed by 14 members, with China abstaining.

Al-Sharaa is expected to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House next Monday.

Syria’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the decision, calling it “a sign of unified international support for Syria’s stability.”

The US envoy said it marked “the start of a new era” in relations with Damascus.