Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has departed for the United States, state media reported Sunday, on a landmark trip that will see the leader address the United Nations General Assembly. State television said Sharaa was en route "to the United States of America to participate in the affairs of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York", citing a presidency statement. A foreign ministry official had said Shaibani's trip aimed to discuss ongoing negotiations with Israel and the lifting of remaining US sanctions on Syria. Syria and Israel remain technically at war, but opened direct negotiations after Assad's ouster, and Syrian and Israeli officials have met on several occasions. The United States already lifted most sanctions it imposed on Syria during Assad's rule after his overthrow.