UANI Resource: Perspectives on Lebanon and Hezbollah

Perspectives: Lebanon and Hezbollah  April 12, 2019 Perspectives: Lebanon and Hezbollah, is a UANI weekly resource highlighting developments in Lebanon and the activities of the terrorist group Hezbollah.   Hezbollah Internationally  Nasrallah Attacks U.S. Designation of IRGC in Speech Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah gave a speech on Wednesday condemning the United States for designating Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Nasrallah attacked the U.S. as a "terrorist state, with a terrorist administration and culture," and said that while Hezbollah and the "resistance" axis had been silent in the face of such American designations in the past, there may come a point where they act in response. Berri Sanctions Rumored and Pressure on Bassil Reports this week indicated that the U.S. might be mulling sanctions against Hezbollah-allied Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and his inner political circle. Two Lebanese MPs, including Ibrahim Kanaan, as well as Mr. Berri's personal spokesman, traveled to Washington this week for talks with U.S. officials in an effort to avoid sanctions on Berri. American officials assured their Lebanese interlocutors that talk of sanctioning Berri, or any other public Lebanese official, was mere rumor. The National had reported that the U.S. began considering sanctions on Berri after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's recent visit to Beirut, during which Berri defended Hezbollah. A White House official said Washington now considers Berri's AMAL Movement indistinguishable from Hezbollah and its "main line of political support." U.S. officials have also reportedly warned Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil - of president Michel Aoun's Hezbollah-allied Free Patriotic Movement - to distance himself from Hezbollah. Lebanese Defense Minister Dismisses U.S. Sanctions on Hezbollah Recently-appointed Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Bou Saab - of president Michel Aoun's Hezbollah-allied Free Patriotic Movement - this week dismissed the efficacy of U.S. sanctions on Hezbollah. Speaking at a World Economic Forum event in Jordan, Bou Saab said that U.S. foreign policy vis-à-vis Hezbollah was "victimizing" Lebanon and would "not be paying off." He stressed that Lebanon was a "mosaic" and that no one should press Lebanon in a manner that could destabilize the country. "Hezbollah are Lebanese...they are part of the Lebanese...and we have to live together. It doesn't mean that everyone agrees with everyone on their policy," said Bou Saab. He added that Lebanese officials were in constant contact with American officials to explain Lebanon's delicate circumstances. Pressed on the question of Iranian funding of Hezbollah destabilizing the region, Bou Saab attempted to deflect and instead spoke about ISIS and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but also claimed he wasn't defending Hezbollah. Hezbollah Preventing 50,000 Syrian Refugees from Returning Home Syrian refugees who fled to Lebanon in the wake of the 2013 Battle of Qusayr allege that Hezbollah is preventing them from returning to their homes. Speaking to Al-Joumhouria, some of the refugees claimed that Hezbollah possessed the capability to facilitate their return, but was refraining from doing so, likely due to anti-Sunni sectarian reasons. They also said that some would fear returning home even if they could, because Hezbollah now occupies their former towns and villages. Lebanon Internationally Treasury Adds Lebanese Company and National to SDN List The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Asset Control this week named the Chams Exchange Company SAL and Kassem Chams - a Lebanese national linked to the company - as Specially Designated Nationals. The Treasury Department explained that Chams was a money launderer who moved funds on behalf of Hezbollah and narcotics trafficking organizations. U.S. Golan Heights Decision Stokes Lebanese Fears over Shebaa Farms Lebanese President Michel Aoun expressed concern that the U.S. decision to recognize Israel's claim of sovereignty over the Golan Heights might have negative implications for Lebanon regarding its territorial disputes with Israel. Lebanon alleges that - despite withdrawing from south Lebanon in May 2000 - Israel still occupies Lebanese land, namely the Shebaa Farms and the Hills of Kfarchouba. In contrast, Israel alleges both parcels are Syrian lands seized from that country during the Six Day War, a claim supported by the United Nations when it certified that Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon in May 2000 was complete. U.S. Delegation Visits Lebanon to Gauge Political Situation A U.S. Congressional delegation arrived in Lebanon on Wednesday to gauge Lebanon's general political situation, particularly in south Lebanon and along the border with Israel, as well as the impact of Syrian refugees on the country. The delegation, which included Congressmen Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), was scheduled to meet with several Lebanese officials, including President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Army Commander Joseph Aoun. Lebanese Minister, U.S. Ambassador Discuss Bilateral Oil and Energy Cooperation Lebanese Energy and Water Minister Nada al-Bustani met with U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth Richard this week. The two discussed bilateral cooperation involving oil and energy, particularly private American investment in Lebanon's electricity sector. Lebanese Agriculture Minister Visits Damascus Lebanese Agriculture Minister Hassan Al-Laqis - of the Amal Movement - carried out an official visit to Damascus this week and met with his Syrian counterpart Ahmad Al-Qaderi. They explored implementing agreements previously negotiated between the two countries, including the export of Lebanese bananas to Syria, and the import of Syrian citrus fruit. Al-Laqis also met with the Syrian Prime Minister, Imad Khamis, and explored measures for easing the entry of Lebanese goods into Syria via the Al-Nasib crossing, and the reduction of customs fees. Lebanese Civil Society Groups Donate Aid to Iranian Flood Victims Several Lebanese civil society and private groups announced this week that they donated funds to the Iranian Embassy in Beirut to assist with flood relief efforts in Iran. 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