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Last update - 04:38 19/06/2008 U.S. imposes financial clamps on alleged Hezbollah supporters By The Associated Press Tags: Venezuela, U.S., terror  The Bush administration took action Wednesday against a Venezuelan official and others accused of providing financial support to the Hezbollah terror group. The Treasury Department's action covers Ghazi Nasr al Din, whom the United States identified as a Venezuelan diplomat. The order also targets Fawzi Kan'an and two Venezuelan-based travel agencies - Biblos and Hilal - that he allegedly owns or controls. Kan'an denied the Treasury Department's accusations. "That's pure lies," he told The Associated Press. "What do I have to do with Hezbollah? I don't know the group; don't know anyone." Advertisement Any financial assets found in the United States belonging to those designated Wednesday must be frozen. Americans are forbidden from doing business with them. "It is extremely troubling to see the government of Venezuela employing and providing safe harbor to Hezbollah facilitators and fundraisers, said Adam Szubin," director of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. The U.S. government alleges that Nasr al Din used his position as a diplomat and president of a Caracas-based Shi'a Islamic Center to give financial assistance to Hezbollah. There were conflicting reports from the United States and Venezuela over whether he was stationed in Lebanon or Syria. Nasr al Din is suspected of counseling Hezbollah donors on fundraising efforts and providing donors with specific bank account information where donors deposits would go directly to Hezbollah, the department said. He also allegedly arranged the travel of Hezbollah members to Iran. The department described Kan'an as a significant provider of financial support to Hezbollah. He also has traveled with other Hezbollah members to Iran, the department said. The government also alleged that he used his Biblos travel agency to courier funds to Lebanon. Kan'an was reached by phone at a number listed for his travel agency Biblos. He said that both Biblos and Hilal, his travel agencies, were "in the process of being closed, and I don't work anymore." Asked if he knows of any accounts that have been frozen, Kan'an said: "I have accounts, and they aren't frozen." He said he does have accounts in the United States. In a separate action, Treasury moved to block the assets of alleged leaders of al-Qaida linked terrorist group Islamic Jihad Union, described by the U.S. as having a goal of overthrowing the Uzbekistan government. The two alleged leaders named are: Najmiddin Kamolitdinovich Jalolov and Suhayl Fatilloevich Buranov. Related articles: Israel mulls downgrading ties with Venezuela due to Iran alliance Reports: Mexico, U.S. probing group over alleged Hezbollah funding U.S. meets Iranian officials to discuss 'terror' funds Bookmark to del.icio.us   Purchase price More consumers are letting their consciences do the shopping. Fighting fear N.Y. mayor urges Jewish voters to denounce Obama Muslim rumors.   1.   Alleged 05:43  |  David James Vickery 19/06/08   2.   buffoonery`s one thing. murder`s another. cease it or roast. 23:56  |  frenz 20/06/08   3.   WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO;SLAP THEM ON THE WRISTS?MOST LIKELY! 06:07  |  glenna 21/06/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: Peace dead? Send us your own plan Responses: 191 U.S., Canada warn Hezbollah set to strike Jewish targets, report says Responses: 220 Report: Israel held drill as prep for attack on Iran Responses: 309 Messianic Jews: Police indifferent to threats against us Responses: 122 Rosner's Domain Will we see a record number of Jewish lawmakers? (2) Comparing Obama and Chamberlain (WTR) Guests: intermarried Jews are more distant from Israel The Joe Lieberman dilemma Poll: Cease fire in Gaza is an achievement for... More Headlines 00:08 Oil prices jump after report of Israeli drill for Iran attack 19:50 Hamas: Arms smuggling to continue despite Gaza truce 01:33 UNICEF severs ties with Israeli patron Lev Leviev 18:23 Three Israeli hikers hurt in shooting attack near Ramallah 20:48 Hamas spokesman voices rare optimism regarding Gaza truce 19:43 N.Y. Mayor urges Jewish voters to denounce Obama Muslim rumors 21:44 PMO: Prisoner exchange with Hezbollah not likely next week 17:59 Austrian politician: Suspected Nazi is 'treasured citizen' 14:45 Report: Israel held military drill as prep for attack on Iran 12:09 Israel's Messianic Jews: Police indifferent to threats against us 13:31 Jerusalem officials to High Court: Gay parade desecrates holy city Previous Editions Select Day 20 jun 19 jun 18 jun 17 jun 16 jun 15 jun 13 jun 12 jun 11 jun 10 jun 09 jun 08 jun

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