US Offers $10 Million Reward For Information On Hezbollah Financier

 US State Department Rewards for Justice Program Post via its Official Twitter Account
US State Department Rewards for Justice Program Post via its Official Twitter Account
TT

US Offers $10 Million Reward For Information On Hezbollah Financier

 US State Department Rewards for Justice Program Post via its Official Twitter Account
US State Department Rewards for Justice Program Post via its Official Twitter Account

The United States on Monday offered a $10 million reward for information on a Hezbollah financier Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzi for funneling money to the Lebanese party.

"Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzi has funneled millions of dollars to the terrorist organization Hezbollah," a statement by the US State Department Rewards for Justice Program said on Twitter.

"If you have information on his financial operations, text us at the number below. You could be eligible for a reward," the statement added.

“Through his business activities in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, he has provided millions of dollars in support to Hezbollah.”

In 2018, the US Department of the Treasury had listed Bazzi as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

"Bazzi, who operates or transacts in or through Belgium, Lebanon, Iraq, and several countries in West Africa, is a key Hezbollah financier who has provided Hezbollah financial assistance for many years and has provided millions of dollars to Hezbollah generated from his business activities," the Treasury said in an official statement then.

It also designated the Global Trading Group NV (GTG) for being owned or controlled by Bazzi, in addition to several other entities including the Euro African Group LTD, Africa Middle East Investment Holding SAL (AME Investment) and Premier Investment Group SAL Offshore.

The US Department also named six other individuals accused of supporting Hezbollah including Moahmmad Jaafar Qasir, who is accused of helping Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards-Quds Force mask oil sales used to finance their allied terrorist groups.

RFJ said Qasir leads Hezbollah’s Unit 108, which transfers support form the IRGC-QF into Lebanon through Syria.

The list also includes Ali Qasir, who is Hezbollah’s representative in Iran and is a key facilitator of financial and commercial activities that benefit the IRGC-QF and Hezbollah. He is also the nephew of Hezbollah official Muhammad Qasir, with whom he works closely to facilitate financial activities between the IRGC-QF and the Lebanese party.

RFJ also lists the name of Muhammad Kawtharani, saying he is a senior leader of Hezbollah’s forces in Iraq and had assumed some of the political coordination of Iraqi-based, Iran-aligned paramilitary groups formerly organized by IRGC general Qasem Soleimani.

The list also names Adham Tabaja, a Hezbollah member who maintains direct ties with senior Hezbollah organizational elements, including the terrorist group’s operational component, Islamic Jihad.

Tabaja also holds properties in Lebanon on behalf of the group and is majority owner of the Lebanon-based real estate development and construction firm Al-Inmaa Group for Tourism Works.



New Lebanon President Starts Consultations on Naming PM

Lebanese President-elect Joseph Aoun poses for a picture before the oath-taking ceremony at the parliament in Beirut, Lebanon, 09 January 2025. (EPA)
Lebanese President-elect Joseph Aoun poses for a picture before the oath-taking ceremony at the parliament in Beirut, Lebanon, 09 January 2025. (EPA)
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New Lebanon President Starts Consultations on Naming PM

Lebanese President-elect Joseph Aoun poses for a picture before the oath-taking ceremony at the parliament in Beirut, Lebanon, 09 January 2025. (EPA)
Lebanese President-elect Joseph Aoun poses for a picture before the oath-taking ceremony at the parliament in Beirut, Lebanon, 09 January 2025. (EPA)

New Lebanese President Joseph Aoun began parliamentary consultations Monday to designate a prime minister tasked with forming a government desperately needed to tackle major challenges in the crisis-hit country.

Caretaker premier Najib Mikati and Nawaf Salam, a favorite of anti-Hezbollah lawmakers who is the presiding judge at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, have emerged as the frontrunners.

The consultations, a constitutional requirement under Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system, follow Aoun's election last week amid foreign pressure for swift progress -- particularly from the United States.

The eastern Mediterranean nation had been without a president since October 2022, run by a caretaker government amid a crushing economic crisis compounded by all-out war between Lebanese Iran-backed group Hezbollah and Israel.

By convention, Lebanon's prime minister is a Sunni Muslim.

Opposition lawmakers on Saturday had thrown their backing behind anti-Hezbollah lawmaker Fouad Makhzoumi, a wealthy businessman who has good foreign relations.

But on Monday he said he withdrew his candidacy to "make way for consensus between all who believe in the need for change around the name of Judge Nawaf Salam".

Aoun's consultations with political blocs got underway at 8:15 am (0615 GMT) with a meeting with deputy parliament speaker Elias Abu Saab, the official National News Agency said.

- 'Part of the accord' -

A source close to Hezbollah told AFP that both Hezbollah and powerful parliament speaker Nabih Berri's Amal movement supported Mikati.

Mikati, who has already formed three governments and has good relations with Lebanon's political parties and several foreign countries, has denied any prior arrangement exists for the naming of a PM.

One of the country's richest men, Mikati has headed the country in a caretaker capacity throughout the presidential vacuum.

Mikati said on the sidelines of the presidential vote on Thursday that he was ready to serve the country "if needed".

Whoever heads Lebanon's new government will face major challenges, including implementing reforms to satisfy international donors amid the country's worst economic crisis in its history.

They will also face the daunting task of reconstructing swathes of the country after the Israel-Hezbollah war and implementing the November 27 ceasefire agreement, which includes the thorny issue of disarming Hezbollah.

- Opposition to Mikati -

Other lawmakers have instead proposed International Court of Justice judge Salam, a highly respected former ambassador whose name frequently comes up in such consultations.

Late Sunday saw last-ditch attempts to unify opposition and independent positions, with the aim of rallying around Salam and blocking Mikati's path to the premiership.

Hezbollah's opponents see Mikati as part of an old political system that the group has within its grip.

After Aoun pledged a "new phase" for Lebanon in his inaugural speech, anti-Hezbollah Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said that "like it or not, Mikati was from the previous lot".

According to Lebanon's constitution, the president designates the prime minister in consultation with the parliament speaker, choosing the candidate with the most votes during the consultations.

Nominating a premier does not guarantee a new government will be formed imminently.

The process has previously taken weeks or even months due to deep political divisions and horse-trading.