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Saudi: We Will Continue to Impose Sanctions on Hezbollah Operatives, Entities | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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In this July 25, 2014, file photo, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah speaks during a rally to mark Jerusalem Day or Al-Quds day, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein, File)


Washington, Riyadh- Saudi Arabia has stressed that it would continue to combat the so-called Hezbollah’s terrorist activities with all available means and work with partners around the world to make it clear that the party’s militant and extremist activities would not be tolerated by any nation or organization.

“As long as the so-called Hezbollah spreads instability, conducts terrorist attacks and engages in criminal and illicit activities around the world, we will continue to classify its operatives, leaders and businesses as terrorists and impose sanctions as a result of this classification,” the Saudi Ministry of Interior said.

Any involvement with Hezbollah activity is labeled as an act of terror by Gulf Cooperation Council countries in line with a decision issued in March. Anyone suspected of carrying out Hezbollah’s bidding will be charged with affiliation to a terror organization.

Hezbollah was in March labeled a terror organization by the GCC after ongoing hostile activity, recruitment of youth, arms trafficking and spurring sectarian rift. The ultra-hardline group continuously incites chaos and violence, and violates the national sovereignty, security and stability of countries.

In a related action, the U.S. State Department blacklisted Hezbollah member Haytham Ali Tabatabai, who has led the so-called Hezbollah special forces, has operated in Syria, and is now believed to be in Yemen.

In a statement, the U.S. Treasury Department revealed that Saudi Arabia joined the U.S. in imposing economic sanctions on: Muhammad al-Mukhtar Kallas, Hasan Jamal-al-Din, Yosef Ayad and Muhammad Ghaleb Hamdar.

Kallas and Jamal-al-Din provided financial services for Hezbollah member and financier Adham Tabaja through Tabaja-controlled Company Global Cleaners, according to the Treasury.

Ayad and Hamdar were designated for helping Hezbollah plan and support acts of terrorism, the Treasury said.

Hamdar was arrested in Lima, Peru, in October 2014 on suspicion of planning Hezbollah attacks in that country, it added.