WASHINGTON - The US government Thursday formally banned controversial Lebanese satellite broadcaster Al Manar, accusing it of being a mouthpiece for the extremist group Hezbollah.

The Treasury Department blacklisted both Al Manar and its sister station Al Nour Radio, together with their parent company the Lebanese Media Group, under a presidential order.

The order bans US nationals from any dealings with designated groups. It also freezes any assets the groups may hold in the United States.

"Any entity maintained by a terrorist group -- whether masquerading as a charity, a business, or a media outlet -- is as culpable as the terrorist group itself," said Stuart Levey, Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.

Treasury said both Al Manar and Al Nour "have supported fundraising and recruitment efforts by Hezbollah" and are controlled by the Lebanese-based militant outfit's executive council.

"In addition to supporting Hezbollah, Al Manar has also provided support to other designated Palestinian terrorist organizations, including the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, notably transferring tens of thousands of dollars for a PIJ-controlled charity," it said.

Al Manar, which has also been banned in France and Spain, was placed on an "exclusion list" by the US State Department in December 2004. As a result, no one associated with the broadcaster is allowed to enter the United States.

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