U.S. declares Lahbous a specially designated global terrorist

The U.S. Department of State has
designated Mohamed Lahbous as a Specially
Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under an
executive order that targets those linked to
terrorism.
Lahbous is a member of The Movement for
Unity and Jihad in West Africa.
The movement was created in September
2011 after the members broke off from al-
Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb in order to
expand their activities into West Africa.
“As a result of the designation, all property
subject to U.S. jurisdiction in which Lahbous
has any interest is blocked and
U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging
in any transactions with Lahbous or to his
benefit,’’ the U.S. said in a statement on
Wednesday.
It added that as a member of the
organisation, Lahbous has participated in a
number of attacks, including the October
2011 abduction of three aid workers from a
refugee camp in Western Algeria.
The statement also noted that Lahbous
participated in June 2012 attack in Ouargla,
Algeria, which killed one and injured three.
According to it, Lahbous has also been
involved in arms trading and drug
trafficking in North and West Africa. (NAN)