Washington, Mar 13 (UNI) In a major push and what is seen as the ultimate pressure on China to back the global community, the United States has said that JeM chief Masood Azhar meets UN criteria to be declared as a global terrorist and 'failure' to do so would be counter to achieve regional stability.
'The United States and China share a mutual interest in achieving regional stability and peace, and that a failure to designate Masood Azhar (a global terrorist) would run counter to this goal,' US State Department spokesperson Robert Palladino has said here.
'JeM is a United Nations-designated terrorist group. The terrorist is the founder and the leader of JEM, and he meets the criteria for designation by the United Nations. JEM has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks and is a threat to regional stability and peace,” he said, according to media reports.
China has in the past blocked the move thrice and the proposal for designating Azhar comes before the 15-member UNSC later on Wednesday. The fresh proposal for the same has been moved by the France, the US and Britain after Pulwama terror strike and subsequent international campaign and diplomatic offensive launched by India.
Sources said designating Pakistan-based Masoor Azhar as a global terrorist would result in sanctions that include a travel and arms embargo as well as an asset freeze.
UNI DEVN JTS 0950