US sanctions 2 Lebanon-based firms, Hezbollah-linked person

U.S. Treasury on Thursday imposed sanctions on two Leban-based companies and a man described as an official with Lebanese militant Hezbollah group

United States considers Iran-backed Hezbollah a terrorist organization and has imposed sanctions on many of militant group’s officials in past.

new wave of sanctions comes as Leban is passing through its worst ecomic and financial crisis in deces. country is also facing a political delock amid delays in formation of a new, crisis Cabinet, because of a portfolio dispute.

U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, sanctioned companies Arch Consulting and Meamar Construction “for being owned, controlled, or directed by Hezbollah.”

OFAC also sanctioned Sultan Khalifah Asa, saying that he is a Hezbollah official closely associated with both companies.

“Hezbollah levers Arch and Meamar to conceal money transfers to Hezbollah’s own accounts, furr enriching Hezbollah’s leership and supporters, and depriving Lebanese people of much-needed funds,” Treasury said.

Last week, Treasury sanctioned two former Lebanese Cabinet ministers allied with Hezbollah — ex-finance minister, Ali Hassan Khalil, currently a lawmaker, and former public works and transportation minister, Youssef Fenias.

Leban’s Prime Minister-designate Muatapha ib told reporters after meeting President Michel Aoun on Thursday afteron that he will allow more time for discussions over formation of a new Cabinet.

talks have stalled over which of Leban’s sects will get finance ministry. Hezbollah and its Shiite ally Amal group of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri are insisting ir sect gets portfolio and that y get to name Shiite ministers in new Cabinet.

On Wednesday, a 15-day deline passed without Leban forming new Cabinet that would be tasked with resolving ecomic crisis and carrying out reforms to pave way for financial aid from international community.