US, France welcome Masood Azhar's listing as a 'global terrorist'

NEW DELHI: The United Nations on Wednesday designated Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief

Masood Azhar

as a "global terrorist" after China lifted its hold on a proposal to blacklist him.


The proposal was moved by France, UK and the US in the Security Council's 1267 al-qaida Sanctions Committee in February.

Here is how different countries reacted:

UNITED STATES

The US welcomed the designation of JeM chief Masood Azhar as a "global terrorist" by the UN and sought "sustained actions" from Pakistan against terrorism, consistent with its international obligations.

A spokesperson for the US Mission in UN said, "The US welcomes the addition of Masood Azhar to the UN 1267 ISIL and al-Qaida Sanctions list, which requires all UN member states to implement an assets freeze, a travel ban, and an arms embargo against Azhar."

"We expect all countries to uphold these obligations," the spokesperson said, noting that the Jaish-e Mohammed is a United Nations-designated terrorist group, and Azhar, as the founder and leader of JEM, clearly met the criteria for designation by the world body. "We appreciate Pakistani Prime Minister Khan's stated commitment that Pakistan, for the sake of its own future, will not allow the operation of militant and terrorist groups from its territory," the spokesperson said.

FRANCE

France also welcomed the United Nations' move, saying it "signals the successful realisation" of its efforts.

"We welcome the designation today, by the UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee, of Masood Azhar on the UN's ISIL (Da'esh) and al-qaida Sanctions List," according to a statement issued by the foreign affairs of France.

For many years, French diplomacy has been relentlessly pleading for sanctioning Azhar, "head of the terrorist group responsible, notably, for the Pulwama attack", it said. The UNSC's decision "signals the successful realisation of our efforts", it said.

"France remains mobilised at all levels and all fora to take effective measures against terrorism," the statement added.

CHINA

China, which lifted its technical hold on listing JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN, said that it took the decision after it found no objection to the listing proposal by the US, the UK and France following a careful study of the revised materials.

China always believes that the relevant work should be carried out in an objective, unbiased and professional manner and based on solid evidence and consensus among all parties, a press release issued by Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.

"We have to uphold the rules and procedures of relevant UN body, follow the principle of mutual respect, resolve differences and build consensus through dialogue, and prevent politicising technical issues," he said.

UNITED KINGDOM

The UK government welcomed the "long overdue" listing of Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. The UK foreign and commonwealth office (FCO) said the UN Security Council's designation of the head of the Pakistan-based terror group chief as a global terrorist was a positive development for the South Asian region.

"The listing of Masood Azhar, leader of the Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist group, is very welcome and long overdue," an FCO spokesperson said.

"The UK has consistently called for this action to be taken, and we worked closely with our international partners to ensure the right result. This is a positive development for the security and stability of the South Asia region,” the spokesperson noted.

(With agency inputs)