US sanctions two former Lebanese ministers over Hezbollah links
The Treasury Department blacklisted Yusuf Finyanus and Ali Hassan Khalil over alleged corruption and dealings with Hezbollah.
The United States imposed sanctions on two former Lebanese ministers Tuesday accused of providing political and economic favors to Iran-backed Hezbollah and sharing in the corruption that has fueled the country’s economic meltdown.
Yusuf Finyanus, Lebanon’s former transportation and public works minister, and Ali Hassan Khalil, the former finance minister, “provided material support to Hezbollah and engaged in corruption,” according to the US Treasury Department.
“Corruption has run rampant in Lebanon, and Hezbollah has exploited the political system to spread its malign influence,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. “The United States stands with the people of Lebanon in their calls for reform and will continue to use its authorities to target those who oppress and exploit them."
Finyanus is accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars from Hezbollah in exchange for political favors, as well as allowing the group to siphon public funds to ensure that Hezbollah companies won bids for Lebanese government contracts.
