WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department said on Friday that it has designated Omar Diaby, a leading French jihadist, as terrorist.

As a result of the move, all property subject to U.S. jurisdiction in which Diaby has any interest is blocked and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with Diaby.

In a statement, the State Department said Diaby leads a group of French foreign terrorist fighters in Syria. The group of approximately 50 fighters has participated in terrorist operations alongside the terrorist group al-Nusrah Front.

Diaby, who is of Senegalese origin, left for Syria in the summer of 2013, setting up a unit of French fighters linked to al-Nusra Front, according to French media reports.

Although assumed killed in August last year, Diaby, re-emerged in May this year, claiming his death was a ploy to allow him to travel to Turkey for an operation.

Diaby came to the attention of French intelligence due to his involvement with a French extremist group and his online propaganda video series, according to the State Department statement.

"Diaby's videos have been credited as the chief reason behind why so many French nationals have joined militant groups in Syria and Iraq," it added.