In a new American escalation towards Hezbollah and its support networks, the US Treasury Department announced the imposition of a new sanctions package that included political figures and individuals in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, accusing them of providing financial and logistical support to the party and obstructing the path of peace in Lebanon.
The US Treasury said that the sanctions included the head of the Marada Movement, Suleiman Franjieh, and also included the Vice-President of Hezbollah’s Political Council, Mahmoud Qamati, in addition to people and entities that it said were participating in raising funds and securing financial resources for the party.
The ministry explained that the new measures come within the framework of what it described as confronting the support and financing networks linked to Hezbollah, noting that those targeted played roles in financial and political activities that Washington considers supportive of the party and influencing the path of stability in Lebanon and the region.
The US Treasury added that the sanctions also target individuals and networks active in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, accusing them of contributing to collecting funds and transferring them to Hezbollah through various channels.
The sanctions are expected to include freezing any assets subject to US jurisdiction and preventing dealing with people and entities listed on the sanctions lists, in a step that reflects continued US pressure on the party and its regional support networks.
These measures come in light of rapid regional developments, and at a time when Lebanon is witnessing a broad political debate about the future of security and political arrangements in the next stage.
