US Imposes Sanctions on Four Hezbollah Supporters in West Africa

Men operating in Sierra Leone, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire and the Gambia targeted

WASHINGTON (Reuters)—The United States imposed sanctions on four Lebanese citizens on Tuesday, accusing them of fundraising and recruiting for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah inWest Africa.

The U.S. Treasury Department said the four men were sanctioned for effectively acting as "ambassadors" for Hezbollah, which Washington considers a terrorist group. They were acting in Sierra Leone, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire and the Gambia, it said.

The sanctions mean the men are effectively cut off from the U.S. financial system and any dealings with U.S. citizens.