Gambia cancel expulsion of Lebanese tycoon

BANJUL, GAMBIA:

The Gambian government has withdrawn
its expulsion of a powerful business magnate
accused by the United States of founding
the Lebanese militant movement Hezbollah,

Lebanese Gambian multi-millionaire Hussein
Tajudeen ,a former close friend of President
Yahya Jammeh ,had been ordered to leave the
country earlier this month for 'unacceptable
business practices that are detrimental Gambia
economy"according to the presidency

But he government Saturday that the decision
to expel the businessmen and his associates
has been "rescinded.
Mr Hussein and his associates arehereby
allowed to continue to live and do business
in Gambia"the government said in a statement,

"The expulsion order was lifted after Tajudeen
agreed to carry out his activities legally,the
statement added
Tajudeen ,owner of the nationwide Kairaba
supermarket chain and a Gambian resident
for 16 years was the country's main importer
of rice and flour as owner of the parent
company ,Tajco,

The business is alleged by the US to be
part of the militinational network that has
generated millions of dollars for Hezbollah
designated  by the White House as among
the most dangerous terrorist groups in the
world,

US sanctions imposed in December 2010
targeted network of businesses owned or
controlled by Tajudeen and his brothers in
the Gambia,Lebanon,Sierra Leone,the
Democrartic Republic of Congo and the
British Virgin Island.

The Gambia has expelled Tajudeen
before,in June 2013,for stocking groceries
months past their sell by dates,
He was given a presidential pardon and
permitted to return four months later,
AFP