US sanctions Hezbollah financial advisor in Lebanon

The Biden administration designated a network of individuals and firms in Lebanon Tuesday that it said facilitated financial activities for the militant group Hezbollah

Among those sanctioned was Hassan Moukalled, a Lebanese money exchanger and economist who the US Treasury Department said “plays a key role in enabling Hezbollah to continue to exploit and exacerbate Lebanon’s economic crisis” by carrying out business deals on behalf of the Lebanese militant group across the region. 

The department also blacklisted Moukalled’s money-services business, CTEX Exchange, as well as his sons Rayyan Moukalled and Rani Moukalled. 

“As corruption undermines economic growth and the ability of individuals to provide for their families, the United States is committed to holding accountable those who exploit their privileged positions for personal gain,” Brian Nelson, the Treasury’s undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in a statement.