US imposes sanctions on Suleiman Franjieh and Mahmoud Qmati
The U.S. Treasury on Thursday imposed sanctions on Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh, Hezbollah political council deputy head Mahmoud Qmati and other individuals for using their influence to "obstruct Lebanon's peace process and delay the disarmament of Hezbollah."
“Hezbollah must disarm for Lebanon to achieve a secure and prosperous future,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. “Treasury will continue to target Hezbollah’s financial networks and hold accountable those who enable the group to undermine the Lebanese state and threaten prospects for lasting peace,” he said.
The Treasury said Hezbollah relies on a network of officials to "maintain power and exert influence through all levels of the Lebanese political and security establishment."
It said Franjieh "has used his strategic alliance with Hezbollah to benefit his own political ambitions."
Franjieh "accepted financial support from Hezbollah in exchange for supporting Hezbollah’s efforts to target the parliamentary seats of reformist and independent members of parliament in Lebanese parliamentary elections," it added.
Qmati meanwhile "coordinates cash smuggling from Iran for Hezbollah and advocates for Hezbollah’s interests in Lebanon," the Treasury charged.
Source: Naharnet
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