U.S. Names ex-Minister Samaha 'Global Terrorist'
The United States on Monday named former information minister Michel Samaha a "specially designated global terrorist" for allegedly aiding the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad to launch attacks in Lebanon.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a statement saying that Samaha, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13441 which targets persons "undermining Lebanese sovereignty, including those who are supporting attempts by the Assad regime to incite violence inside Lebanon", is now a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under E.O. 13224.
Samaha, was arrested on August 9 by Lebanese authorities and accused of plotting to assassinate leaders and of transporting explosives into the country for such attacks, the U.S. Treasury said.
"The United States will continue to expose any attempts by the Assad regime to meddle in the affairs of its neighbors and further destabilize the region," said Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David Cohen.
"We will continue to work with our international partners to ensure that the sovereignty of Lebanon is respected and upheld."
Samaha was officially listed as a "global terrorist" by the U.S. State Department, and the Treasury slapped economic sanctions on him that freeze any assets he holds under U.S. jurisdiction and forbids Americans from doing business with him.
The Treasury said Samaha "reportedly" received the explosives he is accused of transporting from Ali Mamluk, the head of the Syrian National Security Bureau.
"Information available to the U.S. government indicates that in July 2012 Mamluk was involved in a plot with Samaha to conduct bombing attacks against Lebanese political and religious figures in northern Lebanon, and Mamluk provided money and explosives to Samaha for that purpose," the Treasury said.
Source: Agence France Presse, Naharnet
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/64951 |