Report: U.S. Threatens to Cut Aid for Lebanese Ministries Allocated for Hizbullah
The U.S. embassy in Beirut has reportedly “intensified threats to cut any US or international assistance for Lebanese ministries allocated for Hizbullah party” in a bid to pressure officials tasked with forming the government, al-Akhbar daily reported on Friday.
Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri affimed in a televised interview on Thursday that he “does not mind” allocating the health portfolio in the new government for Hizbullah, noting that the international assistance approved earlier for that ministry “could stop.”
“We don’t mind that Hizbullah gets the Ministry of Health. But let’s be frank. If Hizbullah gets any ministry pledged with loans from the World or any international community, there is a great possibility that these loans come to a halt. We have to be realistic here.”
The latest batch of US sanctions on Hizbullah was against Lebanese businessman and seven companies of his allegedly over funding the party.
The US Treasury Department on Thursday imposed sanctions on Mohammed Abdullah al-Amin and seven companies he owns allegedly for providing financial and technological support for Hizbullah.
Source: Naharnet
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