Pakistan supports UNSC resolution removing sanctions on Syrian president
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Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa looks on as he attends the “Aleppo, Key to Victory” celebration marking Syria’s liberation, in Aleppo, Syria, May 27, 2025. — Reuters
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UN: Backed by Pakistan, the UN Security Council on Thursday approved a draft resolution to remove Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara and Interior Minister Anas Khattab from the sanctions list of Daesh and al-Qaeda.
Pakistan’s UN ambassador, Asim Iftikhar Ahmed, welcomed the move, calling it a step forward in a journey to Syria that presents challenges as well as “enormous opportunities”.
He expressed hope that the Syrian government would centralize power and address security threats, ultimately helping the country emerge as a strong and prosperous nation.
Pakistan, he said, has always emphasized the need to provide relief from sanctions to allow for Syria’s reconstruction and reunification with the international community, while also facilitating sustained dialogue and engagement.
“The Syrian people have suffered for more than a decade of conflict, chaos and civil war,” he told the Security Council. “Today’s vote is a welcome move by the Council to signal the support of the international community to help the Syrian people transition to a new phase of their political journey through a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process.”
Ambassador Asim Ahmed warned against the threat of terrorism and said that the presence of foreign terrorist fighters threatens the security of the country. “We hope that the Syrian authorities will take the necessary steps to address security concerns and strengthen central authority and stabilize the situation across the country.”
Abstaining from China, the US-drafted resolution received 14 votes to none.
Shar was named interim president after ousting Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, ending 13 years of devastating civil war.
He was the subject of UN sanctions as the leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly linked to al-Qaeda. The US removed HTS from its list of foreign terrorist groups in July.
The 15-member council’s vote came before Charlah visited the White House on Monday and held talks with President Donald Trump.
The United States Ambassador to the United Nations, 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.
“President al-Shara and Interior Minister Khattab’s list should help give the Syrian people the greatest opportunity.”
But China’s ambassador to the UN in Fukuoka argued that the resolution failed to address the “legitimate concerns of all parties”.
“The sponsor did not fully consider the views of all members and forced the council to act despite the great differences among council members to serve its political agenda,” Fu said, referring to the United States.
“China is willing to work with the international community to play a constructive role in achieving security, stability and development in Syria at an early date,” he added.
Syria praised the decision to remove UN Security Council President al-Shara and Interior Minister Khattab from the sanctions list, calling it further evidence of Damascus’ growing diplomatic legitimacy.
In a statement on X, Foreign Minister Asad al-Sheibani said: “Once again and not for the last time, Syrian diplomacy has reaffirmed its active presence and ability to make steady progress in removing obstacles and paving the way for a more open and stable Syrian future.”
Syria expressed its “appreciation of the United States and friendly countries for their support of Syria and its people.”
