U.S. Ambassador Meets with the Prime Minister

27 Aug 2012 - U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met today with Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the Grand Serail. Ambassador Connelly and the Prime Minister discussed the political and security situation in Lebanon and regional events.

The Ambassador welcomed the release of kidnapped Lebanese Hussein Ali Omar over the weekend. She condemned the kidnapping of any individuals based on nationality, sect, ethnicity or for criminal gain and called for their immediate release.
The Ambassador expressed the United States' concern with the recent violence in Tripoli and offered the United States' sincere condolences for those killed and injured. She expressed the United States' appreciation for the efforts of the Lebanese government as well as the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces to work together to maintain calm in Lebanon. She reiterated the United States' call that the Asad regime respect the sovereignty, independence, and stability of Lebanon. She called on all parties to exercise restraint and respect for Lebanon's stability and security.
The Ambassador shared U.S. concerns over Iran's Presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and intentions for the NAM conference this week. Iran's continuing uncritical support for the Asad regime prevents it from effectively facilitating a political solution to the crisis in Syria, and she relayed the U.S. Government's confidence that NAM members will not be led by Iran into taking actions that appear to condone Iran's support for the Asad regime and its disregard of its obligations regarding the prevention of nuclear proliferation.

Treasury Targets Hizballah for Supporting the Assad Regime

WASHINGTON 8/10/2012 – The U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated the terrorist group Hizballah for providing support to the Government of Syria, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13582, which targets the Government of Syria and its supporters. This action highlights Hizballah's activities within Syria and its integral role in the continued violence the Assad regime is inflicting on the Syrian population.

Since the beginning of the Syrian people's courageous campaign in early 2011 to secure their universal rights, Hizballah has provided training, advice and extensive logistical support to the Government of Syria's increasingly ruthless efforts to fight against the opposition. Hasan Nasrallah, Hizballah's Secretary-General, has overseen Hizballah's efforts to help the Syrian regime's violent crackdown on the Syrian civilian population. Hizballah has directly trained Syrian government personnel inside Syria and has facilitated the training of Syrian forces by Iran's terrorist arm, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - Qods Force (IRGC-QF). Hizballah also has played a substantial role in efforts to expel Syrian opposition forces from areas within Syria.

"Hizballah's extensive support to the Syrian government's violent suppression of the Syrian people exposes the true nature of this terrorist organization and its destabilizing presence in the region," said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen. "Long after the Assad regime is gone, the people of Syria and the entire global community will remember that Hizballah, and its patron Iran, contributed to the regime's murder of countless innocent Syrians."

Hizballah has coordinated its support to the Government of Syria with the IRGC-QF and senior Syrian government officials. The IRGC-QF, which serves as a conduit for Iran's material support to the Syrian General Intelligence Directorate (GID), was listed for sanctions in the Annex to E.O. 13572, which targets those responsible for human rights abuses in Syria. It had been previously sanctioned under E.O.13224 in October 2007 for its support to terrorists, including Hizballah. Qasem Soleimani, the long-time commander of the IRGC-QF, was also designated last year pursuant to E.O. 13572 for his personal support to the Syrian regime.

For years, Iran has also provided Hizballah with training, weapons and explosives, as well as political, diplomatic, monetary and organizational aid. The IRGC-QF's continued cooperation and coordination with Hizballah has assisted the Syrian government's efforts to violently crush opposition to Assad's rule in Syria and highlights the combined Iranian and Syrian campaign to use their military resources and terrorist clients to inflict violence and suffering on the Syrian people and deny their legitimate democratic aspirations.

Hizballah was previously named a Specially Designated Global Terrorist pursuant to E.O. 13224 in October 2001, and listed in the Annex to E.O. 12947 as a Specially Designated Terrorist (SDT) on January 23, 1995. Hasan Nasrallah was named an SDT pursuant to E.O. 12947 in January 1995.

In addition to the actions taken against the IRGC-QF and Qasem Soleimani in 2011 under E.O. 13572, the United States has repeatedly exposed Iran's support for the ongoing violence perpetrated by the Syrian government. In June 2011, Treasury designated Iran's Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) which, like the IRGC-QF, provided material support to the Syrian GID; the LEF also dispatched personnel to Damascus to assist the Syrian government in its efforts to suppress the Syrian people. In February 2012, Treasury designated the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security, Iran's primary intelligence organization, for providing substantial technical assistance to the Syrian GID. With actions such as today's designation, Treasury will continue to expose Iran's provision of support to the Government of Syria as well as its continued support of Hizballah's activities within Syria and throughout the region.

 

Identifying Information:

Name:  Hizballah        

AKA:  Ansar Allah

AKA:  Followers of the Prophet Muhammed

AKA:  Islamic Jihad

AKA:  Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine

AKA:  Islamic Jihad Organization

AKA:  Organization of Right against Wrong

AKA:  Organization of the Oppressed on Earth

AKA:  Party of God

AKA:  Revolutionary Justice Organization

 

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Vice Admiral Miller Visits Lebanon

August 7, 2012 - U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) Commander Vice Admiral John Miller visited Lebanon today and met with Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwagi and Lebanese Naval Commander Rear Admiral Nazih Baroudi to discuss bilateral military cooperation.
In his meetings, Vice Admiral Miller emphasized the strong and sustained naval cooperation between the two countries. Vice Admiral Miller also underscored NAVCENT's support for Lebanon's initiatives to implement its obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
He renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.

Statement by U.S. Ambassador Maura Connelly on Syrian Cross-Border Violations

August 2, 201 - The U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly expressed her grave concern at the continued shelling of Lebanese territory, including today's incident deep in Lebanese territory, by Syrian regime forces. Reiterating the United States' commitment to a stable, sovereign, and independent Lebanon, the Ambassador said the U.S. expects the Syrian regime to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon.  Specifically regarding Syrian shooting across the border and reported incursions by Syrian troops, the Ambassador stressed that the responsibility for the violence in Syria and the violence that threatens to spill over from Syria falls squarely on the Asad regime. 
She praised the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces for their efforts to maintain calm in Lebanon, and supported the government's decision to increase the Lebanese Army's presence along the border with Syria.

SOCCENT Commander Visits Lebanon

August 3 2012 - Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) Commander Major General Ken Tovo visited Lebanon today and met with Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwagi and other senior military officials.  In their meeting, the Generals discussed areas of continued military cooperation between the two countries, including SOCCENT's help in training and equipping the Lebanese Armed Forces Special Operations Forces (LSOF).  Major General Tovo also underscored SOCCENT's support for Lebanon's initiatives to implement its obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. 
General Tovo praised the Lebanese Armed Forces for its efforts to maintain calm in Lebanon, as well as security along the border with Syria.  He renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.

U.S. Ambassador Meets with MP Michel Aoun

August, 2, 2012 - U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met with Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun today. The Ambassador and General Aoun discussed the political and security situation in Lebanon and the current situation in Syria.
The Ambassador conveyed the grave concern of the United States over recent assassination attempts in Lebanon and urged full support for the investigations currently underway by the Lebanese security forces.
The Ambassador stressed that the responsibility for the violence in Syrian and the violence that threatens to spill over from Syria fall squarely on the Asad regime. She praised the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces for their efforts to maintain calm in Lebanon, and supported the government's decision to increase the Lebanese Army's presence along the border with Syria.
The Ambassador also praised the Lebanese people for their generosity in hosting Syrian refugees and noted the ongoing efforts of the Lebanese government, working with international partners and organizations, to provide humanitarian assistance to those refugees.
The Ambassador said the U.S. was deeply disturbed by the recent deportations of 14 Syrians. She stressed the importance of protecting all Syrians, including dissenters and deserters, who have rejected violence, in keeping with Lebanon's international humanitarian obligations.