The United States is pushing the U.N. Security Council to end sanctions on Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and top officials just days before his anticipated White House visit.
In a draft resolution obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday, the U.S. is proposing that the 15-member council drop a series of sanctions tied to al-Sharaa and Syria's interior minister, Anas Hasan Khattab. The resolution could be put up for a vote as early as Thursday, according to a person familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss plans not yet made public.
To be approved, it would require the backing of nine members and no vetoes from the permanent five – China, Russia, Britain, France and the United States.
U.S. officials appear to be pushing for it to happen before President Donald Trump hosts al-Sharaa in Washington on Monday. It will be the first visit by a Syrian president to Washington since the country gained independence in 1946.
While al-Sharaa is in Washington, Syria is expected to join the U.S.-led anti-Daesh coalition, which includes some 80 countries working to prevent a resurgence of the terrorist group.
