Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Message to Congress -- Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Lebanon

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary


Message to Congress -- Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Lebanon

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.  In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to Lebanon that was declared in Executive Order 13441 of August 1, 2007, is to continue in effect beyond August 1, 2014.

Certain ongoing activities, such as continuing arms transfers to Hizballah, which include increasingly sophisticated weapons systems, undermine Lebanese sovereignty, contribute to political and economic instability in the region, and continue to constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  For this reason, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13441 with respect to Lebanon.

BARACK OBAMA

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

HOUSE PASSES MEADOWS' HEZBOLLAH SANCTIONS BILL

07/23/14 WashingtonD.C.— On Tuesday evening, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act of 2014, H.R. 4411, introduced by Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC), by a vote of 404-0.

 

The bill targets Hezbollah, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, by sanctioning its foreign financial assets, while also going after its international narcotics trafficking rings, and its propaganda arm, al-Manar TV. H.R. 4411 also directs the Administration to designate Hezbollah as a transnational criminal organization and a drug Kingpin, giving U.S. law enforcement another tool to use when cracking down on Hezbollah's terrorist activities.

 

"Allowing Hezbollah's terrorist and criminal activities to continue unabated poses a direct threat to our nation and to our allies, particularly Israel," Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC) said. "Let us not forget that it wasn't very long ago when a Hezbollah terrorist cell was found operating in CharlotteNC. Hezbollah's terrorist enterprise isn't confined within the borders of Iran or Lebanon, but spans globally, including on to U.S. soil," Meadows added.

 

"This bill cripples Hezbollah's financial network, dealing a serious blow to its criminal and terrorist operations. I hope that the Senate will act to advance this crucial legislation," Meadows added.

 

The strong, bipartisan legislation has 321 cosponsors in the House, and was originally co-sponsored by Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) and Ranking Member Elliot Engel (D-NY), and Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL.). The bill will now move to the United States Senate where companion legislation has already been introduced.


Hoyer Statement on Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act

For Immediate Release:

July 22, 2014

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today in support of the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act, sponsored by Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10):

"I congratulate Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois for his hard work bringing the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act to the Floor today, and I was pleased to vote for its passage.  Hezbollah remains a significant threat not only to our ally Israel but to stability throughout the Middle East.

"Sponsored by Iran and allied with Bashar al-Assad's murderous regime in Syria, Hezbollah continues to stockpile weapons and undermine the march toward greater freedom, democracy, and peace for the people of Lebanon.  Its attacks against Israelis, Americans, and even Jewish communities far outside the Middle East speak to its role as a major threat to global security and to America's national security, and Hezbollah is responsible for more American deaths than any other terrorist group, except al-Qaeda.

"The Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act will strengthen our ability to go after Hezbollah where it hurts the most: financing and recruitment.  By sanctioning banks that facilitate Hezbollah's funding and the television providers that broadcast its propaganda, this bipartisan legislation will help prevent Hezbollah from accessing funds and spreading its messages of hate.  I thank Rep. Schneider for his leadership on this important issue, and I hope the Senate will follow the House by acting swiftly to send this bill to the President's desk."



Thursday, July 10, 2014

Sanctions Against a Hezbollah Front Company

Sanctions Against a Hezbollah Front Company
Press Statement
Jen Psaki
Department Spokesperson
Washington, DC
July 10, 2014
As the Treasury Department announced today, the United States targeted a key Hezbollah procurement network by designating brothers Kamel Mohamad Amhaz and Issam Mohamad Amhaz; their business, Stars Group Holding, which is based in Beirut and has subsidiaries in China and the UAE; and certain managers and individuals who supported their illicit activities.
Hezbollah relies heavily on front companies such as Stars Group Holding, which continue to procure dual-use material for the organization to enhance its military capabilities. Stars Group Holding has covertly purchased sophisticated electronics and other technology from suppliers around the world, including a range of engines, communications, electronics, and navigation equipment. These materials have directly supported Hezbollah's development of unmanned aerial vehicles for its destructive military activities in Syria.
Today's designation illustrates yet again the extent of Hezbollah's international presence and reach. We call on our partners to take action against Hezbollah's illicit networks, which fuel its violent political agenda and enhance its ability to engage in destabilizing activities in Syria, throughout the Middle East more broadly, and around the world.

Saturday, July 05, 2014

REP. MEADOWS' WIDELY-SUPPORTED HEZBOLLAH BILL PASSES COMMITTEE

06/27/14

Washington, DC— The Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act of 2014, H.R. 4411, introduced in May by Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC), advanced through the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday and currently has 313 co-sponsors.
The Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act targets the terrorist organization's foreign assets with sanctions, while also going after its narcotics trafficking rings and its media arm, al-Manar. Further, the bill directs the Obama Administration to designate the group as a transnational criminal organization, giving the Department of Justice more authority to go after Hezbollah's rampant narcotics trafficking.
"This bill is supported by the vast majority of the House of Representatives because it is a crucial and much-needed step in combating the terrorist group, Hezbollah," Congressman Mark Meadows said.
After al Qaeda, Hezbollah is responsible for the largest number of American deaths by a terrorist group overseas.
"This legislation will cripple the vast financial network that funds Hezbollah's criminal and terrorist activities," Meadows said. "Hezbollah poses a direct threat to the United States, our allies abroad, and in particular, our great ally Israel. With the current climate of growing instability in the Middle East, this legislation is needed now more than ever," Meadows added.
H.R. 4411, introduced in the House by Congressman Meadows, was originally co-sponsored by Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA), Ranking Member Rep. Elliot Engel (D-NY), and Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL).

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