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U.S. blacklists two Lebanese for enabling Hezbollah

The United States has blacklisted two Lebanese officials, accusing them of aiding Hezbollah and corruption.

And warning it would take more actions targeting the Iran-backed Shi'ite group -- even as Lebanon struggles with reform pressure and the fallout - both literal and political - of the devastation in its capital.

The U.S. Treasury Department named former Transport Minister Yusuf Finyanus and former Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil in the sanctions, saying they'd engaged in corruption that made Hezbollah's work possible in Lebanon.

They're both in parties allied to Hezbollah, which has become the overarching power in a country struggling through crisis after crisis.

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After the blast at the port last month smashed Beirut, wreaking huge damage, France has spearheaded international efforts to link aid to reform.

And set Lebanon on a new course after decades of corrupt rule following its civil war, which ended in 1990.

U.S. officials say they're coordinating with France, whose Lebanese initiative, quote, 'has a lot of merit'.

But criticised a recent meeting President Emmanuel Macron held in Beirut with Lebanese politicians, including a member of Hezbollah.

Which the United States sees as a terrorist organization.

David Schenker, a senior State Department official, said the latest sanctions should be a message to those who enable Hezbollah, but also Lebanon's political leaders more generally.

And that people should 'absolutely expect' more sanctions to come.