Group fighting Assad put on terrorism list

The Australian government has placed on its terrorist blacklist a prominent Islamic group fighting the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr has announced Australia will list the Al-Nusra Front as a terrorist organisation to try to starve the group of funding and support.

The listing means anyone in Australia who makes funds or assets available to the group could face up to 10 years in jail.

Assets known to be owned or controlled by Al-Nusra must be frozen and reported immediately to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Senator Carr said the Al-Nusra Front, which has 5000 fighters in Syria, had a history of suicide attacks and bombings.

''I'm advised Al-Nusra is active against the Syrian military but also against civilian targets,'' he said. ''There is no place for violent extremist groups such as Al-Nusra in Syria or elsewhere.''

The Islamist jihadist faction has captured army bases and is believed to have set up a religious council to administer rebel-controlled areas in eastern Syria.

Senator Carr said there was evidence the Al-Nusra Front had direct links with al-Qaeda in Iraq, which supplied it with weapons, recruits and equipment.

The US placed the group on its terrorism blacklist in December, citing its links to al-Qaeda.