Reports that Hizballah has financed the construction of major defensive fortifications north of the Litani River in Lebanon with the illegal sale of conflict diamonds has increased operational risk for financial institutions involved in banking Lebanese precious gems dealers and traders. This area, which lies just to the north of the region occupied by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), has been unilaterally declared a no-go zone for journalists by Hizballah, though some of the preparations for war can be seen from afar. If some rogue Lebanese precious gems dealers are supporting the creation of this new Hizballah military zone, one should reasonably expect some sort of retribution. Any bank involved may find itself "collateral damage" in the war on terrorism.

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