CHICAGO: US authorities have imposed sanctions on two businesses in Lebanon they say are under the control of Hezbollah and profit from corruption.

Sultan Khalifa As鈥檃d, described as a Hezbollah official with close ties to both companies, was also placed on the sanctions list

鈥淭he United States is designating Arch Consulting and Meamar Construction for being owned, controlled or directed by Hezbollah, a US-designated foreign terrorist organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist,鈥� Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said in a statement issued on Thursday. 鈥淲e are designating Sultan Khalifa As鈥檃d for being a leader or an official of Hezbollah.鈥�

The businesses are 鈥渢wo of many companies鈥� that report to Hezbollah鈥檚 Executive Council, he said, and the organization 鈥渉as used (them) to conceal its economic activity and evade US sanctions.鈥�

He added: 鈥淗ezbollah collaborated with former Lebanese minister Yusuf Finyanus to ensure that Arch and Meamar won Lebanese government contracts worth millions of dollars, and the companies sent a portion of those funds to Hezbollah鈥檚 Executive Council. The United States designated Finyanus on Sept. 8 for abusing his cabinet position to provide material support to Hezbollah.鈥�

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Finyanus was one of a number of former Lebanese ministers accused by Washington of providing material support to Hezbollah and blacklisted this month.

Arch Consulting was previously part of, and continues to provide funds to, Jihad Al-Bina, a prominent Hezbollah-run construction company that was sanctioned by the US in 2007, Pompeo said.

鈥淪ultan Khalifa As鈥檃d oversees Arch, Meamar and other Hezbollah companies in his position on Hezbollah鈥檚 Executive Council, where he helps manage the terrorist group鈥檚 municipal affairs,鈥� he added.

鈥淎s鈥檃d coordinates directly with Hashim Safi Al-Din, head of Hezbollah鈥檚 Executive Council, to guide the activities of Arch, Meamar and other Hezbollah companies.鈥�

Pompeo said Lebanon鈥檚 political leaders have long exploited the lack of transparency in the nation鈥檚 economy to conceal their efforts to enrich themselves and their allies, while pretending to defend the rights of the people. Instead, they continue to divert lucrative contracts to political allies, despite long-running public protests against corruption.

鈥淭he Lebanese people have been demonstrating against corruption for nearly a year and demanding that their government address their basic needs after decades of political dysfunction,鈥� Pompeo said.

鈥淭he Lebanese people deserve better, and the United States will continue to support their calls for an end to corruption and more responsive governance.鈥�