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WASHINGTON — The Obama administration moved Wednesday to impose financial sanctions on two men accused of providing financial support to the Hezbollah terror group.

The Treasury Department’s action covers Kassim Tajideen, who operates a network of businesses in Lebanon and Africa, and Abd al Menhem Qubaysi, whose base of operation is Cote d’ Ivoire in Western Africa.

Any bank accounts or other financial assets found in the U.S. that belong to the men must be frozen. Americans also are prohibited from doing business with them.

The department alleges that Tajideen has contributed “tens of millions of dollars” to Hezbollah and has sent money to the group through his brother, who is a Hezbollah commander in Lebanon. The department also alleges that Tajideen and his brothers run “cover companies” for Hezbollah in Africa. In 2003, Tajideen was arrested in Belgium in connection with fraud, money laundering and diamond smuggling, the department said.

Qubaysi, the department alleges, is the “personal representative” of Hezbollah’s Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah. The department alleges that Qubaysi speaks at Hezbollah fundraising events and sponsors meetings with high-ranking members of Hezbollah. He also has helped to create a foundation that has been used to recruit new members for Hezbollah’s military ranks in Lebanon.


Article: http://www.militarytimes.com/news/20...ncing_052709w/