WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States has imposed sanctions on the Libyan Speaker and President of the House of Representatives Agila Saleh Issa for actively working to delay the formation of Libya’s internationally-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), the US Department of the Treasury said in a statement on Friday.
"Agila Saleh Issa is responsible for stalling political progress in Libya, and today’s action sends a clear message that the US government will continue to target those who undermine the peace, security, and stability of Libya," Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets (OFAC) Acting Director John Smith stated.
The sanctions block all of Issa’s property that is within the jurisdiction of the United States or in control of US persons, and prohibit US persons from engaging in transactions with him.
Furthermore, the statement said Issa has continually prevented a vote on the GNA’s Cabinet "despite broad support" for the body from other parliamentary members, which is a violation of the UN-supported Libyan Political Agreement.
Libya has been in a state of turmoil since its long-standing leader Muammar Gaddafi was ousted in 2011 by US-backed Islamic extremists. In December 2015, Libya’s two rival governments — the internationally-recognized Council of Deputies in Tobruk and the Islamist-dominated General National Congress in Tripoli — agreed to create a Government of National Accord and end the political struggle.
