International Trade Law News

President Bush today issued an Executive Order declaring a national emergency to deal with the conflict in Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast). The Executive Order authorized the blocking of property of three individuals and those persons were added to OFAC's SDN list under the designation "COTED."

In addition, the Treasury Department today announced the formal "designation" under Executive Order 13224 of five individuals and four organizations as financial supporters of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), an organization with links to al-Qaida. The Treasury Department alleges that LIFG supports terrorist activities in Libya and has attempted to overthrow Libyan leader Muammar al-Qadhafi. The designation identifies five British residents of Libyan origin as having links with LIFG: Abd Al-Rahman Al-Faqih, Ghuma Abd'rabbah, Abdulbaqi Mohammed Khaled, Tahir Nasuf and Mohammed Benhammedi. In addition, it lists three real estate companies operated by Benhammedi – Sara Properties, Meadowbrook Investments and Ozlam Properties – and the Sanabel Relief Agency, a U.K.-registered charity, as instruments used to funnel resources to LIFG. These entities are designated on the SDN List as "SDGT" the acronym used to denote Specially Designated Global Terrorists. Treasury's action freezes all assets of the designated individuals and entities under U.S. jurisdiction.