BEIRUT, Lebanon: Lebanon's Central Bank governor has criticized a lawsuit filed in New York in which several Israeli victims of Hezbollah rocket attacks blame certain Lebanese banks for funding the group.

The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan Thursday says the Lebanese banks maintained banking relationships with various U.S. banks. Through its relationships, the lawsuit says, the Lebanese banks were able to provide Hezbollah with "regular, systemic and unfettered access to U.S. currency," enabling it to buy missiles and other weapons.

But Governor Riyad Salemeh says in a statement that the Lebanese banking sector "is committed to international standards" and operates under international laws.

The lawsuit says the plaintiffs were all victims of missile attacks launched by Hezbollah against civilian targets in Israel in 2006. -AP