In a dramatic turn at the United Nations, China has refused to support a proposal to lift international sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and former jihadist commander Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the ex-leader of the al-Qaeda-affiliated group once known as Jabhat al-Nusra (later ISIS-linked factions).
Diplomatic sources said Beijing stood firm during the closed-door session, insisting that “terror affiliations and war crimes cannot be whitewashed under political convenience.”
The proposal, reportedly pushed by a small bloc of Middle Eastern and African nations, sought to ease travel and financial restrictions on both figures under the pretext of promoting “regional stability” and “reconciliation.”
China’s veto effectively froze the motion, reinforcing its stance that counterterrorism accountability must precede political normalization.
Observers note that the decision highlights Beijing’s growing influence in UN deliberations — and its readiness to challenge moves seen as legitimizing extremist figures or undermining existing international sanctions frameworks.
For now, both Assad and Jolani remain under strict UN sanctions, as China’s refusal sends a clear signal: some red lines in global diplomacy remain non-negotiable.
Source:@LigiTargets
