The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on two prominent Lebanese officials and several companies linked to a business magnate over allegations that they obstructed Lebanon’s peace process and delayed the disarmament of Hezbollah.
The sanctioned individuals include Sleiman Frangieh, leader of the Marada political movement, and Mahmud Qamati, a senior member of Hezbollah’s political bureau.
The United States and Israel have long demanded the disarmament of Hezbollah. Lebanon’s government has also ordered the group to surrender its weapons.
Hezbollah has rejected the decision. It has also urged Lebanese authorities to abandon direct talks with Israel, which are being hosted in Washington.
The group is currently engaged in fighting with Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon. Israel’s Prime Minister has said his troops will remain in the area despite a recent US-Iran peace deal that calls for an end to the fighting.
The US government said Frangieh used his political alliance with Hezbollah to advance his party’s parliamentary goals.
Frangieh is a Lebanese Christian politician, former minister and leader of the Marada Movement in northern Lebanon. He has long been an ally of Hezbollah, which has supported his presidential bid during past political deadlocks.
He also has close ties with the family of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and was a childhood friend of the ousted leader.
Qamati is a senior Hezbollah official and former minister. He has served as one of the group’s key political spokespeople in recent years.
The US Treasury said Qamati coordinated “cash smuggling from Iran” for Hezbollah.
The Treasury also imposed sanctions on associates of Lebanese businessman Alaa Hamieh, who was already sanctioned on 20 March.
According to the statement, Hamieh’s Lebanon-based Globe Technology Providers serves as the “technical arm” of Hezbollah-linked and Syria-based Al-Ahd Company for Trade and Investment.
Washington said both entities were included in the latest sanctions package along with several other related designations.
