Lebanese Hizbollah ministers, MPs could be hit by US law — official

BEIRUT — Ministers and members of parliament belonging to Lebanon's Hizbollah could be sanctioned under a new US law targeting the group's finances, a US Treasury official said on Friday.

The US Hizbollah International Financing Prevention Act passed in December threatens sanctions against anyone who finances Hizbollah in a significant way.

It has ignited an unprecedented dispute between Lebanon's most powerful group — the heavily armed Hizbollah — and a central bank widely seen as a pillar of the otherwise weak and dysfunctional Lebanese state.

When asked in an interview with television channel LBC if the law could be applied to Hizbollah ministers and MPs in Lebanon, the US Teasury's Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing Daniel Glaser said: "We don't make a distinction among Hizbollah members." 

Iran-backed Hizbollah, whose fighters played a major role in forcing Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon in 2000, enjoys strong support in the Lebanese Shiite community. Its members include government ministers, MPs and local councillors.

Classified as a terrorist group by the United States, Hizbollah wields enormous political influence in Lebanon and its powerful military wing is playing a major role in the Syrian conflict.

The Lebanese central bank and US officials have repeatedly said the law does not target ordinary Lebanese citizens, or the Shiite community in particular, and will not adversely affect the country's financial sector.

"We understand the difference between Hizbollah and the broader Shiite community," Glaser said.

"We are implementing this law world wide. Obviously it has specific impact here in Lebanon because Hizbollah has a big presence here in Lebanon. But Hizbollah is the target of this legislation, not the Shiite. And I can't say that strongly enough," he said.