Syrian jihadist group Jabhat al-Nusra, also known as the Nusra Front, has announced it has split from al-Qaeda.

Leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani, in his first recorded message, said its new name would be Jabhat Fateh al-Sham [Front for the Conquest of Syria].

He said the move was intended to remove the pretext used by powers, including the US and Russia, to bomb Syrians.

The US responded by saying it saw no reason to change its view of the group as a terrorist organisation.

The US state department said the announcement could be just a rebranding exercise.