U.S. Sanctions 2 Lebanon-Based Firms, 'Hizbullah-Linked' Person

W460

The U.S. Treasury on Thursday imposed sanctions on two Lebanon-based companies and a man described as a Hizbullah official.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, sanctioned the companies Arch Consulting and Meamar Construction "for being owned, controlled, or directed by Hizbullah."

OFAC also sanctioned Sultan Khalifah Asaad, saying that he is a Hizbullah official closely associated with both companies.

"Hizbullah leverages Arch and Meamar to conceal money transfers to Hizbullah's own accounts, further enriching Hizbullah's leadership and supporters, and depriving the Lebanese people of much-needed funds," the Treasury said.

“Through Hizbullah’s exploitation of the Lebanese economy and manipulation of corrupt Lebanese officials, companies associated with the terrorist organization are awarded government contracts,” said Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin.

“The United States remains committed to targeting Hizbullah and its supporters as they corruptly abuse Lebanese resources to enrich their leaders while the Lebanese people suffer from inadequate services," he added.

He noted that Hizbullah's activities "permeate all aspects of the Lebanese economy, including the construction and infrastructure sectors."

Munchin also charged that Hizbullah "conspires with Lebanese officials, including the recently designated former Minister of Public Works and Transportation, Youssef Fenianos, to direct government contracts worth millions of dollars to these companies, which are overseen by Hizbullah’s Executive Council."

"The Council also receives the corrupt profits from these companies," he said.

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Hizbullah collaborated with Fenianos to "ensure that Arch and Meamar won Lebanese government contracts worth millions of dollars," noting that the companies "sent a portion of those funds to Hizbullah’s Executive Council."

He also noted that Arch Consulting was previously part of and continues to "provide funds to Jihad al-Bina, a prominent Hizbullah construction company designated by the United States in 2007."

“Sultan Khalifa As’ad oversees Arch, Meamar, and other Hizbullah companies in his position on Hizbullah’s Executive Council, where he helps manage the terrorist group’s municipal affairs. As’ad coordinates directly with Hashim Safi al-Din, head of Hizbullah’s Executive Council, to guide the activities of Arch, Meamar, and other Hizbullah companies,” Pompeo explained.

Comments 2
Thumb justice 17 September 2020, 22:39

stfu shia pos!

Thumb lebnanfirst 18 September 2020, 01:57

Unfortunately, only violence will remain.
- Lebanese Shiites and Sunnis are at each other’s throats, again - latest bickering
- Shiites are “defending their honor” and will not concede under pressure - even though they wielded armed pressure to force Sunnis on that dreadful May 7
- Reports are that FPM is being armed by hizb
- Ouwet taking offensive posture - in light of US saying outright they and Kataeb are not targeted by sanctions
- US - Shenker - knows the stalling tactics, repeatedly used by the duo
- Trump trailing in the polls and proven capable of pulling heavy stunts, what’s to loose
Ad to that all the greed ALL nations have for getting their max share in what is perceived as an upcoming economical treasure in our part of the world and we have ourselves all the ingredients of an explosion in the area the likes of which even our elders haven’t seen in their lifetime.
No one cares about Lebanon, unfortunately not even us the Lebanese.