Berri Deplores US Sanctions Against Hizbullah MPs

W300

Parliament speaker Nabih Berri deplored on Wednesday the fresh US sanctions targeting two Hizbullah lawmakers saying "they are an aggression against the whole country."

“This is a flagrant assault against the Lebanese parliament and most certainly against Lebanon entirely," a statement released by the Parliament Presidency said.

"On behalf of the Lebanese parliament, we wonder whether the US democracy has assumed the role of ‘presuming’ and ‘imposing’ sanctions against world democracies. We call on the Geneva-based Inter-Parliamentary Union to take the necessary measures regarding the "irrational behavior," added the statement.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Treasury placed two Hizbullah members of Lebanon's parliament on its sanctions blacklist -- the first time Washington has taken aim at the Iran-allied group's elected politicians.

The Treasury named the head of Hizbullah's parliamentary bloc MP Mohammed Raad and Beirut MP Mohammed Sherri to a terror-related blacklist, saying that Hizbullah uses its parliamentary power to advance its alleged violent activities.

Also placed on the blacklist was Wafiq Safa, a top Hizbullah security official.

It's the first time the U.S. has targeted lawmakers currently seated in Lebanon's parliament. Hizbullah and its allies won a majority in 2018 elections and the group has three Cabinet seats, the largest number it has ever controlled.

Comments 9
Thumb ex-fpm over 4 years

“This is a flagrant assault against the Lebanese parliament and most certainly against Lebanon entirely," a statement released by the Parliament Presidency said.

When hezbollah monopolizes decision of war and peace, carries out proxy wars and terror activities the entire Lebanese population and parliament are not consulted. But when sanctions came against hezbollah for its terror activities it is considered aggression against ALL of Lebanon.

This is the distorted logic that got us where we are today: a chaotic state ruled by a terror organization on the brink of financial ruins.

Thumb ashtah over 4 years

so well said exfpm!!!

Thumb justin over 4 years

If Berri deplores or nassrallah whines, what difference will it make. In the end, Lebanon and the Lebanese people are the ones suffering.

Thumb thepatriot over 4 years

Rafik el hariri is to be blamed for much more than that. He was a strong respected man. At his time, he could have revolutionized the administrations and the corruption. Lebanon could have started with a clean slate... and look where we are now... he did nothing!

Thumb lubnani.masi7i over 4 years

Sanctions should include all of hezbollah MPs, ministers and the ministers of its allies such as the FPM.

Thumb barrymore over 4 years

When the criminal Syrian regime sanctioned hariri, Geagea and Jumblatt we did not hear this thug utter a word. Why is that?

The Syrian regime’s blacklisting as “terrorist” of a number of senior Lebanese officials
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1568911/damascus’-‘terrorist’-listing-lebanese-officials-will-only-weaken-its-allies

The names on the list included Lebanese political leaders and well-known businessmen, as well as MPs known for calling for the “downfall of the regime” in Syria. The lists included Saad al-Hariri, Walid Jumblatt, Samir Geagea, Khalid al-Daher, Okab Sakr, Sheikh Dae al-Islam al-Shahal, Bilal Daqmaq and others.
https://syrianobserver.com/EN/news/47734/terrorism-financiers-named-on-new-list.html

Thumb thepatriot over 4 years

Very true barrymore... and disgusting indeed!

Thumb justice over 4 years

الرئيس عون معلقاً على تدبير وزارة الخزانة الاميركية: لبنان يأسف لهذه الاجراءات ولاستهداف نائبين منتخبين وسيلاحق الموضوع مع السلطات الاميركية المختصة ليبنى على الشيء مقتضاه

We should then expect retaliatory reaction from Aoun. He might blacklist or sanction the entirety of the U.S senate.

Thumb warrior over 4 years

They should be hunted down and executed.