Jumblat Links Bank Blast to Hizbullah Sanctions, Warns of 'Israeli' Role

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat has suggested that there is a link between a blast that went off Sunday evening outside a major bank in Beirut and a growing row between Hizbullah and the central bank governor over the implementation of U.S. financial sanctions against the party.

“The objective of the bombing in Beirut is to deal a blow to the economy and the banking system and I had called for a calm dialogue about the U.S. sanctions,” Jumblat told An Nahar newspaper shortly after the explosion outside the Verdun headquarters of BLOM Bank.

“Some parties do not want dialogue over the issue of the U.S. sanctions and we most preserve the baking sector and its coherence,” he added.

He later told LBCI television that “we might be facing a wave of bombings,” urging an end to verbal attacks against Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh and “a roadmap between Hizbullah and the banks.”

And in remarks to al-Jadeed TV, Jumblat warned that “Israel is the party that benefits the most from the destruction of the Lebanese economy.”

“What's important is to cease the uncalculated statements about the issue of sanctions,” he said.

The evening blast resulted in the wounding of two people and caused extensive damage to BLOM Bank's glass facade and cars parked in the area.

Earlier in the day, the PSP leader urged a “smart approach” regarding the implementation of the anti-Hizbullah sanctions.

“If I had to voice an opinion as an observer, seeing as I'm not an expert in the banking and financial issues, I would stress the need for ending the public exchange of tirades in newspaper and in the media and for halting the verbal attacks against the central bank governor,” Jumblat tweeted.

“Because the confrontation today is targeted against Hizbullah, its supporters and Lebanon – entire Lebanon,” he added.

“It is not a confrontation that uses missiles, tanks, warplanes or other weapons which the resistance jihadi fighters know well how to repel like they did in all the previous rounds, from the days of (Israeli) occupation to the 2006 war. The confrontation today is about how to alleviate the impact of the sanctions as much as possible and how to deal with the issue smartly in order to protect the banking sector,” Jumblat went on to say.

He also warned that “any mistake would be intolerable in this regard, seeing as we are likely to face further economic adversity.”

Hizbullah's Loyalty to Resistance parliamentary bloc had lashed out at Salameh on Thursday, noting that his remarks about the suspension of 100 Hizbullah-linked bank accounts reflect an inclination to renounce “national sovereignty.”

And describing the statements as “ambiguous and suspicious,” the bloc said that “everyone must realize that the resistance's supporters and educational and health institutions are immune to any attempt to target them by anyone.”

In an interview with CNBC on Wednesday, Salameh had announced that one hundred bank accounts related to Hizbullah had been frozen in accordance with a U.S. law that threatens to sanction anyone who finances the group.

“The central bank is determined to maintain the country's financial stability, and make sure that the U.S. law is implemented,” he said.

U.S. President Barack Obama signed the Hizbullah International Financing Prevention Act on December 18.

Hizbullah, which has members in parliament and the cabinet, is considered a “terrorist organization” by the United States.

Many in Lebanon are worried that the U.S. legislation will have negative effects on the Lebanese banking sector, which is one of the most active industries in the country.

"Our priority is to keep Lebanon on the international financial map,” said Salameh.

Y.R.