"It's part of our effort to support the [Prime Minister Fuad] Siniora
government," an official said.
"This designation cuts off Fatah Al Islam from the U.S. financial
system," the State Department said. "As a result of this designation, all
property, and interests in property which Fatah Al Islam has in the U.S., or
which enters the U.S. or comes under the control of U.S. persons, are
blocked. This designation will be published in the Federal Register
shortly."
[On Wednesday, the Washington Post and New York Times reported that the
Bush administration has decided to declare Iran's Islamic Revolutionary
Guard Corps a terrorist group. IRGC, with 125,000 soldiers, controls large
parts of the Iranian economy and was believed to have assets in Europe.]
The department measure also bans Americans and their companies from any
contact with Fatah Al Islam. The United States urged other countries to cut
off financial sources of support to Fatah Al Islam and prevent movement of
its members.
The administration has pledged to help Beirut fight Fatah Al Islam,
which has used Katyusha rockets, rocket-propelled grenades and improvised
explosive devices. The Siniora government has complained of a lack of U.S.
military support.
"We need weapons, conventional and advanced ammunition," Lebanese Chief
of Staff Gen. Michel Suleiman said on Aug. 13. "We didn't get anything but
promises and best wishes and some ammunition, but no equipment. It's as
though they are telling us, 'Die first and help will follow.'"
The United States has linked Fatah Al Islam to the assassination of an
American diplomat in Jordan in 2002. They said Fatah Al Islam leader, Shaker
Absi, sentenced to death in absentia in Amman, helped plan the shooting
death of U.S. diplomat Lawrence Foley.
Absi has been missing since May 2006. The State Department said it did
not know where Absi was located.
"The United States condemns the recent violence perpetrated by Fatah
Al Islam in the Nahr Al Bared Palestinian refugee camp and supports the
government of Lebanon and its security forces in their efforts to promote
stability and rule of law throughout the country," the State Department
said. "This terrorist group threatens the safety and security of the
Lebanese people and the region."