2 added to Security Council list of Al-Qaida, Taliban operatives under sanctions

The United Nations Security Council committee monitoring sanctions imposed against the Taliban has added two more individuals to its list of persons and entities subject to the sanctions because of their links to the group or other terrorist operatives.

The updated list now includes Indonesian-born Riduan Nurjaman Samuddin and Iqbal Mohamad Abdurrahman.

The Council originally adopted the measures in response to the indictment of Usama bin Laden for the 1998 terrorist bombings of United States embassies in Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam, and later tightened sanctions.

The sanctions require States to freeze financial resources, including funds derived or generated by any undertaking owned or controlled by the Taliban, and to ensure that they are not used by the group.

Countries are also obliged to freeze funds and other financial assets of Usama bin Laden and his associates in the Al-Qaida organization, and to prevent their entry or transit through the State's territory. In addition, nations must prevent the supply, sale and transfer of all arms and materiel - along with any form of military training - to the named individuals and entities.

The list is updated regularly, on the basis of relevant information provided by Member States and regional organizations.