By Libya Herald reporter.
Tunis, 13 May 2016:
The United States Treasury Department announced today that it is adding Libyan House of Representatives . . .[restrict](HoR) president Ageela Saleh to its sanctions list, accusing him of obstructing the UN-brokered political settlement.
As a result any of Saleh’s assets within the US jurisdiction are blocked. Likewise US citizens are barred from having any dealings with him.
“Issa has actively worked to obstruct and delay the formation of the GNA [Government of National Accord]”, the US treasury in a statement. “He is being designated today for being responsible for, or complicit in, actions or policies that obstruct, undermine, delay, or impede, or pose a significant risk of obstructing, undermining, delaying, or impeding, the adoption of or political transition to the GNA.”
It said that Ageela Saleh’s many trips abroad appeared to have been deliberately undertaken “to prevent a vote on the GNA”.
Ageela’s latest trip was to the Ivory Coast to attend an African Parliamentary Union conference.
The Treasury’s acting director of its Office of Foreign Assets Control, John E. Smith, likewise stressed the reasons for Washington’s break with the HoR president.
“Agila Saleh Issa [sic] is responsible for stalling political progress in Libya, and today’s action sends a clear message that the U.S. Government will continue to target those who undermine the peace, security, and stability of Libya,” he said. “We will continue to support Libya’s Government of National Accord and its efforts to build a better and more stable future for the Libyan people,” he added.
Saleh, who will also be banned from travelling to the US, joins Khalifa Ghwell, the General National Congress’s “prime minister” who was added to the US list three weeks ago.
It also contains some 15 Qaddafi-regime figures.
There has been no move so far against Nuri Abu Sahmain, the GNC president, although it is thought to be only a matter of time. Along with Ageela Saleh and Ghwell, he was sanctioned by the EU at the beginning of last month. [/restrict]
