Report: Hizbullah Praises Salameh for Controlling Banking Measures Against Supporters
Hizbullah praised Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh for preventing some banking institutions from using a U.S. law against Hizbullah as a punitive tool against its supporters, al-Akhbar daily reported on Friday.
After observing the performance of the Special Investigation Commission for Fighting Money Laundering for more than a month, Hizbullah sent a letter to Salameh which included recognition of his role in curbing some banking institutions and preventing them from converting the U.S. law into a tool to punish supporters of the Resistance, said the daily.
Two Lebanese banks have reportedly suspended three Hizbullah-linked accounts in conformity with a U.S. sanctions law, which triggered ire among Hizbullah circles that described the move as “crossing a red line,” and threatened that the “U.S. sanctions shall not pass.”
Hizbullah Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc has criticized Lebanon's central bank for saying it would abide by the U.S. law, which the Hizbullah lawmakers said violates Lebanon's sovereignty.
The U.S. Hizbullah International Financing Prevention Act says Washington will target those "knowingly facilitating a significant transaction or transactions for" Hizbullah or any individual, business or institution linked to the group.
Those under sanctions include Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and top commander Mustafa Badreddine as well as some businessmen. The list also includes the group's al-Manar TV and al-Nour Radio.
The law triggered an unprecedented dispute between Hizbullah and the central bank widely seen as a pillar of stability.
Salameh has said on more than one occasion that the Central Bank will abide by the restrictions in the Hizbullah International Financing Prevention Act, which was signed into law in December.
Source: Naharnet
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