U.S. to impose new sanctions against Hezbollah: envoy

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea announced on Sunday that the United States plans to impose new sanctions against Hezbollah and possibly against supporters of the group, OTV local TV channel reported.

"New sanctions will be put in place starting June 1," Shea said in a televised interview.

Shea denied the U.S. intention to cause a collapse to the Lebanese economy by imposing sanctions against Hezbollah, adding that the United States will make announcements next week to provide scholarships for students at the American University of Beirut and the Lebanese American University.

Lebanese experts have expressed their worries about the U.S. intention of putting obstacles in the way of Lebanon's access to funds by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) given the role of Hezbollah in the government.

Lebanon is currently negotiating with the IMF the possibility of funds in a bid to restructure the country's economy and implement necessary reforms for economic revival.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)