May 13, 2016 - 8:22 AM
WASHINGTON - The United States is imposing sanctions on the speaker and president of Libya's House of Representatives for working to obstruct and delay political transition in the country.
The Treasury Department on Friday sanctioned Agila Saleh Issa.
Treasury says Issa has repeatedly blocked votes needed to support a political transition and has worked to undermine a U.N.-backed Government of National Accord.
Since the 2011 uprising that toppled Moammar Gadhafi, Libya has been split between rival governments.
Last year, the U.N. brokered a deal on a unity government to heal the rift among the Libyans. But the new government has so far failed to gain support from various factions.
Treasury's action freezes any assets that Issa has within U.S. jurisdiction and bans Americans from during business with him.
News from © The Associated Press, 2016