Report: Arab, European States Meet With U.S. To Discuss Blocking Funds to Hezbollah

The U.S. held a meeting in early May with representatives from 20 Arab, European and South American countries to discuss ways to confront the extensive economic and commercial activity used by the terrorist group Hezbollah to finance its activities, according to a report in the Saudi newspaper Al-Seyassah.

According to the report, the meeting was held on May 4 and 5 with the participation of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar in addition to European countries and nations in South America where large Shi’ite Lebanese populations live.

The meeting reportedly focused on formulating a joint international strategy for confronting Hezbollah and drying up its financial resources.

According to the report, the meeting also dealt with threats to the Lebanese banking system as a result of Hezbollah’s economic activity there. Ways to restrict Hezbollah’s activity in Lebanese and international banks were discussed.

One of the decisions made was the need to deal with Western charities that transfer large amounts of money to Hezbollah and formulate a policy for dealing with Lebanese businessmen who live outside of Lebanon and continue to transfer large sums to the organization.

In addition, the international institutions qualified to deal with this phenomenon and those authorized to enforce the law will escalate their measures against any Lebanese financial institution, bank or outside sources – such as law firms and accountants – that provide services to Hezbollah even if they have no direct connection to the group’s activities.