US increases pressure on Lebanon: Sanctions on businessmen and MP close to Hezbollah - Walla! News

2021-10-29T10:44:29.134Z

The sanctions were imposed on two businessmen, close to Hariri and a senior Christian politician, for corruption in government tenders, and on a legislator affiliated with the Shiite organization that smuggled $ 120 million abroad. "The Americans are sending a message to the entire political elite, not just those supported by Iran

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US increases pressure on Lebanon: Sanctions on businessmen and MP close to Hezbollah

Hezbollah hit the winds, and its people paid the price in Beirut

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"An important step for accountability in Lebanon."

Soldiers in Beirut (Photo: AP)

Khoury won a $ 142 million contract to operate a landfill, but the U.S. Treasury Department said it was the facility "dumping toxic waste and garbage into the Mediterranean, all while not repairing the garbage crisis."

Al-Arab, for his part, "has been a liaison since 2014 to mediate meetings between senior Lebanese officials ahead of the Lebanese presidential election, in exchange for two government contracts worth about $ 200 million."

The two did not respond to the sanctions imposed on them, but Basil denied that Black had benefited from his personal relationship with him.

"He's not my partner in politics, nor am I his business partner," he tweeted.

Washington last year imposed sanctions on Basil and former Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil and former Public Works Minister Yosef Panianus, alleging corruption and material support for Hezbollah.

In addition to the two businesses, the United States claims that MP Jamil Said sought to "deviate from local bank policies and regulations" and transfer $ 120 million overseas, "presumably to enrich himself and his associates." Sid tweeted that he would enter a party today Journalists to discuss the issue.

New sanctions.

Nasrallah (Photo: Screenshot, -)

The US sanctions were imposed during an unprecedented economic crisis in Lebanon, linked to years of failed policies and corruption of the ruling elite. According to the UN, three quarters of the population suffer from poverty. Furthermore, the sanctions mark the first time that's close to Hariri, backed by the West, was punished by the United States, focusing on the past, Hezbollah and its allies supported by Iran.

"The Americans are sending "It is a message to the entire political elite, not only to those supported by Iran, but also to the Lebanese people, that they did not leave here," Maha Yahya, director of the Carnegie Center for the Middle East in Beirut, told Reuters. Yahya, who referred to the popular slogan during the anti-government protests in 2019.

Mohand Haga Ali, a research fellow at the Carnegie Center, said the sanctions "also include concrete allegations about the transfer of Sid's funds after the revolution.This is a new thing that has an impact on Hezbollah's reputation. "