Lebanon fighting ‘terror financing’, President Aoun tells US
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Lebanese President Joseph Aoun speaking during the commemoration of Lebanese Army Day, in Baabda, Lebanon, on July 31.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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BEIRUT – Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told US officials on Nov 9 that his country was tackling money laundering and the financing of terrorism, days after Washington imposed sanctions on three Hezbollah members.
The trio were accused of money laundering to fund Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group, which is designated a terrorist organisation by the US and other Western powers.
The US delegation’s visit to Beirut, headed by senior director for counter-terrorism Sebastian Gorka, came as Washington works to cut off Iran-backed Hezbollah’s funding and Lebanon’s government tries to disarm it
The group was severely weakened in its most recent war with Israel, which was halted by a November 2024 ceasefire.
“Lebanon strictly applies the measures adopted to prevent money laundering, smuggling or its use in financing terrorism, and severely punishes financial crimes of all kinds,” Mr Aoun said he had told the delegation.
On Nov 6, the US imposed sanctions on three Hezbollah members allegedly involved in the transfer of tens of millions of dollars from Iran, the group’s main sponsor.
Part of the funding was via money exchange businesses that operate in cash, said a US Treasury statement.
Since January, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have “transferred over US$1 billion (S$1.3 billion)” to Hezbollah, “mostly through money exchange companies”, it added.
“Lebanon has an opportunity to be free, prosperous and secure – but that can only happen if Hezbollah is fully disarmed and cut off from Iran’s funding and control,” deputy director for counter-terrorism John Hurley said on Nov 6.
Mr Hurley later posted on social media platform X that he, Mr Aoun and Dr Gorka had “discussed ways in which we can partner together to stop the flow of money from Iran to Hezbollah and create a safer and more prosperous Lebanon”.
Israel on Nov 9 carried out new strikes in south Lebanon, killing two people according to the Health Ministry, putting the toll from Israeli strikes since Nov 8 at five.
Mr Aoun called on Nov 9 for “pressure on Israel to stop its ongoing attacks”. AFP
