The Obama administration on Thursday branded a Saudi national as a specially designated global terrorist, a move that entailed sanctions on him.

The State Department blacklisted Ahmed Abdullah Saleh al- Khazmari al-Zahrani, better known as Abu Maryam al-Zahrani, calling him a senior member of al-Qaida.

The agency said al-Zahrani is wanted for extradition by Saudi Arabia for participating in terrorist activities and for his ties to al-Qaida, which made him the subject of Interpol Red and Orange Notices as well.

Citing open sources, the department said al-Zahrani has been in Pakistan since at least 2009.

Under the sanctions put on him, al-Zahrani's property under US jurisdiction is frozen and American citizens are barred from doing business with him.

"The action taken against this individual demonstrates the United States' resolve in eliminating al-Qaida's ability to execute violent attacks," the department said in a statement.