United States Sanctions Nine Lebanese Officials, Including Hezbollah-Linked MPs and Security Officers

The United States imposed sanctions on nine individuals in Lebanon, including members of parliament and security officials, accusing them of enabling Hezbollah, obstructing the peace process, and impeding efforts to disarm the group.

“The United States has imposed sanctions on nine people it accuses of enabling Hezbollah to “undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty”, the latest US effort to destroy the group’s financial networks around the world”

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera reported that the U.S. Department of the Treasury said the individuals were designated “for obstructing the peace process in Lebanon and impeding the disarmament” of Hezbollah, while the U.S. Department of State said those sanctioned include members of Lebanon’s parliament and officials in Lebanon’s governmental institutions who “abused” their roles.

Al Jazeera

The New Region said the sanctions targeted Brigadier General Khattar Nasser Eldin of Lebanon’s General Directorate for General Security and Colonel Samir Hamadi of the Lebanese Armed Forces intelligence branch, accusing them of sharing intelligence with Hezbollah during the conflict over the past year.

In Beirut, L’Orient Today described the Treasury announcement as “for the first time, two serving Lebanese officers are directly targeted by Washington,” naming Brig. Gen. Khattar Nassereddine and Col. Samir Hammoud as the officers accused of transmitting intelligence to Hezbollah.

L’Orient Today also said the sanctions came as military delegations from both countries were set to meet at the Pentagon on May 29 for talks focused on the “security track,” with the U.S. State Department warning: “This is only the beginning.”

Hezbollah rejected the sanctions, with Al Jazeera reporting that the group said the measures were an “attempt to intimidate the free Lebanese people” and would have “absolutely no practical effect on our strategic choices”.

Al Jazeera also quoted State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott warning: “What this is saying is that if you’re in politics, business, or the security services – and you have been aiding Hezbollah and undermining the sovereignty of the Lebanese government – to think twice; there will be real consequences,” linking the sanctions to the U.S. push for disarmament.

Naharnet

L’Orient Today said Hezbollah reacted immediately by calling the sanctions “a clear attempt to intimidate our official security institutions and to subject the state to the conditions of American tutelage,” adding they came “on the eve of the meetings at the Pentagon.”

The Amal Movement described the sanctions targeting two of its officials as “unacceptable and unjustified,” according to L’Orient Today, and said they primarily target “the Amal Movement and its political role, which is committed to national causes and to the protection of the state and its institutions.”

The sanctions landed as Israel continued shelling and air raids across southern Lebanon, with Al Jazeera saying the latest round targeted multiple towns including Baraachit and Kfar Dounine, while a drone attack hit Yaroun.

“US SANCTIONS Washington strikes at the core of Lebanon’s security apparatus, warning: 'This is only the beginning' The sanctions also target Hezbollah and Amal officials as well as Iran's ambassador to Beirut, accused of "obstructing the peace process”

L'Orient Today

Al Jazeera reported that Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health says Israeli attacks have killed at least 3,089 people and wounded at least 9,397 since March 2, when Israel resumed its war on the country.

Al Jazeera said political negotiations were expected to resume on June 2 and 3, while security-focused talks were scheduled for May 29 at the Pentagon between Israeli and Lebanese military representatives.

L’Orient Today framed the U.S. sanctions as part of a broader effort to restore state authority, quoting the U.S. State Department that “a stable, secure and independent Lebanon requires the full disarmament of Hezbollah and the restoration of the Lebanese state’s exclusive authority over security matters across the entire country.”

i24NEWS reported that Washington expected “des mesures publiques et sans équivoque du Liban en soutien à un processus plus large de normalisation régionale,” and warned that refusing engagement could bring “une perte de soutien international” and “une détérioration de la stabilité financière.”