Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Terrorist-turned-interim President of Syria Al-Sharaa has reached the White House. Al-Sharaa has previously been declared a terrorist at the international level. His name was included in the 1267 Sanctions List of the United Nations. But on November 6th united nations security council (UNSC) removed the sanctions imposed against him. This incident has raised a new question before the world. If a terrorist becomes the head of state, what decisions can countries and international organizations around the world take? But before knowing the answer to this question let us know….

What is UN’s 1267 list?

The 1267 Sanctions List of the United Nations (UN) is a list of those people or organizations. Who have been considered terrorists. Many strict restrictions are imposed on the person or organization included in this list. For example, their passport is cancelled, they cannot travel to any country in the world, their bank account is frozen and any kind of business or economic transaction with them is prohibited.

What will happen if such a person becomes President?

If a person who has previously been a terrorist or criminal becomes the President of a country, then international law gives him some protection. It is called Head of State Immunity. This means that as long as he is in his post, the court of any foreign country cannot arrest him or prosecute him. Even if he committed the crime before becoming President.

Therefore he can go to most countries and there is no fear of immediate arrest. According to the UN Charter and international law, the President of a country is the symbol of that country’s sovereignty. In such a situation, no country or organization can carry out a direct military attack on that person, because it would be considered an attack on that country. But this rule is controversial, especially when the case involves genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity.

international court case

When it comes to courts like the International Criminal Court (ICC), this immunity disappears. International law says that if a president is involved in very serious crimes, he can be tried. If an international court has issued an arrest warrant for him (as was the case for former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir), then that warrant will remain in force.

If he goes to a country which is a member of ICC, he can be arrested. ICC has also issued arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

Difficulties in relationships with the world

Any country is free not to maintain diplomatic relations with such a head of state or his country. If desired, a decision can be taken not to open an embassy in that country or not to have trade agreements. If any country wants, it can refuse to provide financial assistance, investment or trade relations to such a person or his country. The bank can close their accounts.

If his name is in the UN terrorist list then he cannot travel to any member country. However, he can go to some countries with which he has good relations and which do not impose UN sanctions. But care has to be taken that no UN member country comes in the way, otherwise he can be arrested. However, since the UN has lifted the restrictions on Al-Shara, there will be no problem for them in travelling.

What action can the UN take?

If the international community wants action against such a leader, then the UN Security Council has to bring a proposal. But there the permanent member countries (like America, Russia, China, France, Britain) have veto power. If even one country vetoes it, then no action can be taken against that leader. If that leader proves to be dangerous, then the UN can also send his case to the International Court.

Journey from terrorist to president

Ahmed al-Shara was once a member of al-Qaeda. When America invaded Iraq in 2003, he fought with American forces and joined Al-Qaeda. Later he was caught and kept in Abu Ghraib jail. After his release, al-Sharaa returned to Syria and formed a rebel organization under the name Abu Mohammed al-Jolani. He started the fight against Bashar al-Assad. In 2016 he broke ties with Al-Qaeda.

In December 2024, his organization removed Assad from power. He was appointed interim President on 29 January 2025. US President Trump met him in May 2025. In 2016, America declared him a terrorist. Earlier there was a reward of 10 million US dollars on him, but in July 2025, his name was removed from the list of terrorists.