Report: Lebanese Banks Await New List of U.S. Sanctions
U.S. authorities are in the process of preparing a new list of persons and institutions who will be included in the financial sanctions imposed on Hizbullah, al-Akhbar daily reported on Wednesday.
Sources close to Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh said that the regulations will not trigger additional complications to the “political scene”, especially between Hizbullah and the BDL governor Riad Salameh, now that all Lebanese banks have committed to the application of the mechanism that does not allow the expansion of punitive measures to include people and institutions not covered by the sanctions, added the daily.
U.S. President Barack Obama signed the Hizbullah International Financing Prevention Act on December 18.
The U.S. regulations say 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 slain top commander Mustafa Badreddine as well as some businessmen. The list also includes the group's al-Manar TV and al-Nour Radio.
Earlier, two banks have reportedly suspended Hizbullah-linked accounts in what they said is in conformity with the U.S. sanction. The move drew the ire of Hizbullah circles which they said it “crossed the line.”
Later, Salameh had assured that Lebanese banks will abide by the restrictions but he stressed that they must “offer justifications” and consult with the Central Bank before suspending accounts suspected of violating the anti-Hizbullah U.S. sanctions law.
In June, an agreement was reached between Salameh and Hizbullah, under which it stressed the necessity to comply with the conditions laid down by the Special Investigation Commission (SIC) to prevent the banks from taking individual decisions in this regard.
Source: Naharnet
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