Who is Lebanon’s Suleiman Frangieh, sanctioned by US for Hezbollah ties?
The politician and Marada Movement leader has a close relationship with the Syrian Assad family and staunchly supports Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah.
BEIRUT — Suleiman (Sleiman) Frangieh, leader of the Marada Movement, on Thursday dismissed US sanctions imposed against him the same day for allegedly hindering efforts to bring peace to Lebanon and delaying the disarmament of the Iranian-backed Shiite militant group Hezbollah.
The US Treasury added Frangieh to its specially designated nationals and blocked persons (SDN) sanctions list, accusing him of using his alliance with Hezbollah to advance his political ambitions.
According to a Treasury statement, Frangieh “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.”
The US sanctions also targeted Mahmoud Qamati, a member of Hezbollah’s political bureau, for allegedly coordinating the smuggling of funds from Iran to the Lebanese group.
