Report: Lebanese-U.S. Citizens who Vote for Hizbullah Might Violate Law
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Lebanese Americans who are willing to participate in the upcoming 2013 parliamentary polls might face difficulties in voting for Hizbullah candidates, An Nahar newspaper reported on Wednesday.
The U.S. law prevents any individual from conducting any form of transactions or contact with Hizbullah, which is considered a terrorist organization by the authorities, but the law doesn’t mention if voting for Hizbullah is considered an illegal act.
In April, the Lebanese cabinet approved a mechanism proposed by Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour that allows the Lebanese expats to cast their votes through their embassies or consulates.
According to An Nahar, U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) can freely interpret the U.S. penal code and apply it in regards with the country’s best foreign interests.
The daily obtained a memorandum on whether voting for Hizbullah candidates would be considered as a criminal act. The memo seeks the guidance of OFAC on whether the voting would violate the penal code.
If the OFAC didn’t give the Lebanese-U.S. citizens the approval to vote for Hizbullah candidates, the expats might be subjected to civil or criminal penalties if they participate in the elections from Lebanese consulates in the U.S.
Washington recently intensified its scrutiny of Lebanon's financial system, concerned that Syria, Iran and Hizbullah are using Beirut's banks to evade international sanctions and fund their activities.
27 June 2012, 10:42
51
then there should be no votes counted from any Lebanese-US citizens if thats the case to be a fair election.
27 June 2012, 13:08
00
If Chiaa don't like America why they go there? They should go to Iran instead. No it is fair Alla kbir. All the murders and burden they created these few years in Lebanon. They will be cursed in all the universe.
27 June 2012, 11:01
00
They curse US the land that gave life and dignity, all their supporters should deported or dumped in the sea they dont deserve the grace giving to them by a civilized Democratic county
27 June 2012, 11:14
11
RUBISH, the sectret ballot is a protected right in ALL democracies. One does not have to answer to any questions regarding what one does behind the curtain while voting..even asking is unconstitutional!! these are USSR practices and should be reported and contested at the highest courts, if true.
27 June 2012, 12:11
03
Sometime American administrations behave in a laughable manner...Anyway how would they know who each person is voting for... what a load of crap!
27 June 2012, 12:13
00
Is it ever a fair election Jack?
Is it ever fair on the Lebanese?
Is it ever in the best interest of the Lebanese?
Is Lebanon a state for Lebanese?
Is it the fault of the criminals in power why so many Lebanese are expats and so many non Lebanese are living in Lebanon?
27 June 2012, 12:14
00
How would they know? Who voted for who? Please stop your scary tactics...if you were doing the right thing I don't think you should be afraid of losing the next elections - This is Democracy. Hypocrites................
27 June 2012, 12:41
00
Is it ever a fair election Jack?
Is it ever fair on the Lebanese?
Is it ever in the best interest of the Lebanese?
Is Lebanon a state for Lebanese?
Is it the fault of the criminals in power why so many Lebanese are expats and so many non Lebanese are living in Lebanon?
27 June 2012, 12:43
33
Hezbollah is classified by the US as a terrorist organization that is a threat to the US. How could they allow people on their soil to vote for a "terrorist entity" that is a threat to them...on another hand...like you said lebneneh......how could they forbid it...? :) I'm curious to see how this one will turn out...
27 June 2012, 12:55
00
If voting is confidential, how would they know who they voted for???
27 June 2012, 13:34
13
Embassies and Consulates are considered Sovereign Teritory of Lebanon.
Therefore, whatever happens on Lebanese Territory does not violate that countries Laws, its also called Diplomatic Imunity, which extends to both diplomats and citizens. Case Closed.
27 June 2012, 14:31
14
Hizballa should be banned from Lebanese elections as long as they are illegally armed. They showed us before that they use intimidations (black shirts) to dictate and influence political changes of our country.
27 June 2012, 16:51
03
keep it up stupid mowaten with such comments: you are polarizing everybody to hate hizbushaitan more :) thank you for your help.
27 June 2012, 18:55
03
stop your hypocrisy mowaten! it s a fact that hezb put pressure on jumblatt and threatened him to make hariri fall...
27 June 2012, 16:58
00
This whole article makes no sense at all.
Thank you @cedar for clarifying. I am surprised a journalist at Annahar newspaper doesn't know that. Do some research before writing a useless article, unless the aim was to prevent Hezbollah supporter s
27 June 2012, 17:11
00
I'm a Lebanese-Canadian-U.S tri-citizen. I'll be damned before anyone of these countries dictate who I can and can't vote for. It is my right.
27 June 2012, 17:57
03
Supporting a terrorist (party) is condemnable. There's nothing abnormal to this. yalle ma 3ejbo yitrok amerka.
27 June 2012, 18:54
03
how can someone support the hezb which is clearly anti USA and at the same time live in the USA which employs them!
hypocrisy at its best....
27 June 2012, 23:03
00
While I neither like nor support HA, this law is stupid. People have the right to be idiots at the voting booth. If you don't let people vote for them, they will find different ways to show their support, IE drug smuggling, weapons running, or money laundering which may be many times worse than submitting a vote.
28 June 2012, 08:14
00
This whole article makes no sense at all.
Thank you @cedar for clarifying. I am surprised a journalist at Annahar newspaper doesn't know that. Do some research before writing a useless article, unless the aim was to prevent Hezbollah supporter s
28 June 2012, 08:54
00
This whole article makes no sense at all.
Thank you @cedar for clarifying. I am surprised a journalist at Annahar newspaper doesn't know that. Do some research before writing a useless article, unless the aim was to prevent Hezbollah supporter s
28 June 2012, 08:55
00
This whole article makes no sense at all.
Thank you @cedar for clarifying. I am surprised a journalist at Annahar newspaper doesn't know that. Do some research before writing a useless article, unless the aim was to prevent Hezbollah supporter s
28 June 2012, 09:11
00
This whole article makes no sense at all.
Thank you @cedar for clarifying. I am surprised a journalist at Annahar newspaper doesn't know that. Do some research before writing a useless article, unless the aim was to prevent Hezbollah supporter s
28 June 2012, 09:41
00
This whole article makes no sense at all.
Thank you @cedar for clarifying. I am surprised a journalist at Annahar newspaper doesn't know that. Do some research before writing a useless article, unless the aim was to prevent Hezbollah supporters from voting.
