US Asks UN to Remove Sanctions on al-Qaeda Leader Who Now Leads Syria

The US introduced a proposal at the UN to remove Abu Mohammad al-Jolani from the international sanctions list. Jolani is a veteran of al-Qaeda in Iraq and founded the group's affiliate in Syria before seizing power in Damascus last year. 

On Tuesday, Washington requested that the UN Security Council remove Jolani, who now goes by Ahmed al-Shaara, and Anas Khattab from the list of individuals subject to international sanctions. The US proposal would also remove the UN’s weapons. . .