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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Hezbollah’s Financial Infrastructure: The Battle Over the 'Al-Qard al-Hasan' Bank
2025-12-26
by Dr. Zoe Levornik

[IsraelAlma] Hezbollah’s recovery process depends not only on military capabilities but, to a large extent, on its economic and financial infrastructure. At the center of this system is the “Al-Qard al-Hasan” institution, which serves as a key pillar of the organization’s economic activity and its ties with the Shiite support base in Lebanon. The institution has approximately 300,000 clients, and the scope of its activity is estimated at more than $3 billion, figures that underscore its strategic importance to Hezbollah.

Subsequently, it was reported on December 8 that a delegation from the U.S. Treasury Department visited Lebanon and delivered an unequivocal demand to the Lebanese government to shut down “Al-Qard al-Hasan.” According to the reports, the Americans urged the Governor of the Banque du Liban, Karim Saeed, to begin taking initial steps to implement the move, including setting a timetable for gradual implementation. It was further reported that Saeed approached Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces with a request to begin entering the institution’s branches and closing them gradually. However, officials within the Lebanese government clarified that the governor lacks the legal authority to act unilaterally, as “Al-Qard al-Hasan” is formally registered as an association rather than as a licensed bank.

In this context, it was also reported that additional alternatives are being examined in Lebanon, including significantly curtailing Al-Qard al-Hasan’s ability to conduct banking activities through the imposition of strict oversight and monitoring, ongoing supervision, and restrictions on the use of gold as a mechanism for loans and collateral. These steps reflect an attempt to meet U.S. demands without being drawn into a broad political and social confrontation.

At the same time, a meeting took place between Governor Saeed and Hezbollah-affiliated Member of Parliament Ali Fayyad, who warned against steps that could, in his words, lead to harm to private property. Fayyad argued that the exclusion of Hezbollah’s institutions from the formal banking system is what pushed the organization and its supporters toward a cash-based economy.

More at the link
Related:
Al-Qard al-Hasan 10/28/2021 Saudi Arabia puts Hezbollah financial arm on terror blacklist
Al-Qard al-Hasan 05/12/2021 US Treasury Sanctions 7 Lebanese Tied to Hezbollah Finances


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Posted by:badanov

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Posted by: Grom the Affective   2025-12-26 04:07  

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