Rewards for Justice – Reward Offer for Information on Salim Jamil Ayyash

03/29/2021 12:34 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

The U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice program is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the location or identification of Salim Jamil Ayyash, a senior operative in the assassination unit of the terrorist organization Lebanese Hizballah, or information leading to preventing him from engaging in an act of international terrorism against a U.S. person or U.S. property.

Ayyash is a senior operative in Hizballah's Unit 121, the group's assassinations squad which receives its orders directly from Hizballah leader Hasan Nasrallah. Ayyash is known to have been involved in efforts to harm U.S. military personnel.

On December 11, 2020, an international tribunal sentenced Ayyash in absentia to five concurrent sentences of life imprisonment on terrorism-related charges pertaining to the February 2005 suicide truck bombing in Beirut that killed Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The attack also killed 21 others and wounded 226 persons.

The tribunal found that Ayyash led the 'assassination team' that carried out the attack on Hariri and was actively involved in the assassination on the day of the attack.

Ayyash was born November 10, 1963 in Harouf, Lebanon. He has resided in multiple areas of Lebanon including Hadath, Nabatiyyeh, and Beirut's southern suburbs.

More information about this reward offer is located on the Rewards for Justice website at www.rewardsforjustice.net .  We encourage anyone with information on Salim Jamil Ayyash to text the Rewards for Justice office via Signal, Telegram, or WhatsApp at +1-202-702-7843.  All information will be kept strictly confidential.

The Rewards for Justice Program is an effective law enforcement tool and is administered by the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service.  Since its inception in 1984, the program has paid in excess of $200 million to more than 200 people who provided actionable information that helped bring terrorists to justice or prevented acts of international terrorism worldwide.  Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RFJ_USA .

Ambassador Dorothy C. Shea Remarks at Baabda Palace

On Thursday, March 25, Ambassador Dorothy Shea met with President Michel Aoun at Baabda Palace, and with Prime Minister-Designate Saad Hariri at Center House.  The following remarks were delivered from Baabda Palace.    

As delivered

Begin Text

Sabah el-kheir.  I would like to begin by thanking his Excellency President Aoun for receiving me here this morning at Baabda Palace.  Today, during our meeting, we discussed the importance of –and indeed the urgency of—forming a government that is committed to and able to implement reforms.  The United States has continuously reiterated its commitment to stand by and support the people of Lebanon.

Right now, there is a need for courageous leaders, who are ready to put aside their partisan differences and work together to rescue the country from the multiple crises and self-inflected wounds it is facing.

I am confident that you can do this.    

Just last night I spoke with a number of young political activists from across the spectrum and it was clear that they want a government that takes responsibility for their country.  They want judicial independence.  They want the rule of law.  They want to root out endemic corruption that robs the country and its people of precious resources it so desperately needs.  And, they also said they wanted to see the elections that are scheduled  next year to take place on time.  

But let's focus on the here and now.  I know your government, your leaders are trying to form a government.  And I would just say, respectfully, for anyone who has been placing demands on forming this government that your people so desperately need, and if those demands have resulted in blocking that government formation, I would ask: now that we are almost eight months without a fully-empowered government, isn't now the time to let go of those demands?  To begin compromising?  

It's important to focus on building a government, not blocking a government.  Thank you.

End Text

United States Central Command Commander Visits Lebanon

Media Notice

March 15, 2021

For Immediate Release

General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Commander of the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), visited Lebanon on March 15, 2021. General McKenzie met with senior representatives of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), including LAF Commander General Joseph Aoun, where he reaffirmed the importance of preserving Lebanon's security, stability, and sovereignty, and underscored the importance of the strong partnership between the United States and the LAF, particularly as Lebanon endures significant economic challenges.

General McKenzie was accompanied by USCENTCOM officials and officers, as well as U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Dorothy C. Shea, and the U.S. Defense Attaché, Robert Meine.

The visit to Lebanon also included office calls at the U.S. Embassy, visits to a  USAID-funded water pumping and solar power station, and visits to the 3rd Land Border Regiment and a review of LAF operations at several military installations.

"This visit is a great example of the importance of trust and respect," McKenzie said. "Our relationship with the Lebanese Armed Forces is built upon a mutual desire for security and stability in the  region and our ability to train together for collective benefit."