BEIRUT, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's army and General Security Directorate on Friday defended their personnel after U.S. sanctions against several Lebanese figures, including security officials, over alleged links to Hezbollah.
The United States on Thursday sanctioned Iran's ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad Reza Raouf Sheibani and several Lebanese officials, saying they helped Hezbollah "undermine Lebanon's sovereignty." It also accused one Lebanese army officer of leaking intelligence information to partisan groups.
In response, the Lebanese army said in a statement that the accusation against the army officer has not been officially communicated through "approved" channels. It said its personnel act with "professionalism, responsibility and discipline," and their loyalty is "to the military institution and the homeland only."
The General Security Directorate reaffirmed its "full confidence" in its officers, adding that any employee found to have leaked information would face legal accountability.
Earlier on Friday, Iran's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the sanctions, saying they were aimed at weakening Lebanon's sovereignty and inciting sedition in Lebanese society. ■
