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The European Union stated that it is prepared to impose sanctions on Lebanon’s ruling elite due to the political crisis in Lebanon.
Beirut, Lebanon – The EU stated that it has adopted a legal framework to impose sanctions on Lebanese officials and entities involved in corruption, obstructing government formation, and delaying economic and accountability reforms.
After Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab resigned a few days after the devastating disaster, there has been no mature government for nearly a year. Beirut Port Explosion.
The European Union said in a statement on Friday that listed Lebanese officials will be subject to the European Union’s travel ban and asset freeze, while European entities and individuals “are prohibited from providing them with funds”.
“The EU is ready to use all its policy tools to contribute to a sustainable path out of the current crisis and to respond to the further deterioration of Lebanon’s democracy and the rule of law, as well as the economic, social and humanitarian situation,” it said.
No names are listed yet. An EU source told Al Jazeera that the member states will enter the discussion stage to agree on the names of Lebanese officials to be included in the list.
A source who asked not to be named said: “It is difficult to assess how long it will take them to agree on the name.”
The 27 member states of the European Union must vote unanimously in favor of sanctions.
In the past year, France and the European Union have hinted at using sanctions to push the Lebanese authorities to reorganize and restore Lebanon’s economy.
Recently, the European Union said two weeks ago that it had been developing a sanctions framework for Lebanese officials, but said it would not implement it immediately.
According to the World Bank, Lebanon’s economic crisis is one of the most serious economic crises in the world since the mid-19th century [File: Wael Hamzeh/EPA]On Monday, billionaire businessman and former prime minister Najib Mikati was appointed President of Lebanon. New prime minister And is responsible for forming a new government.
After a nine-month political stalemate with President Michel Aoun and his son-in-law politician Gebran Bassil, the leader of the future movement Saad Hariri (Saad) Hariri) resigned as prime minister-designate only 11 days after he was appointed.
The country is also facing what the World Bank describes as the worst economic crisis in the world since the mid-19th century.
Half of the population lives in poverty, and the Lebanese pound has depreciated by at least 90% in less than two years. Corruption and mismanagement of public funds are local.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian stated at the end of April that Paris has already Travel ban When Hariri served as the caretaker prime minister, Lebanese officials obstructed the formation of the government, but did not disclose their names.
Less than two weeks later, Le Drian stated that France’s sanctions may become tougher because Political deadlock Almost a year ago, a reform plan reached between Lebanese officials and President Emmanuel Macron remained stagnant.
The United States has imposed sanctions on Lebanese officials in the past year. The most famous are the former Minister of Public Works and Transportation Yusuf Phineanos and the former Secretary of the Treasury Ali Hassan Khalil because of their close relationship with Hezbollah and Suspected of involvement in corruption to strengthen Iran-backed political parties.
Economic analyst Sami Zoughaib told Al Jazeera that he “doubts” whether foreign sanctions on Lebanese officials will have a strong impact.
“This may be positive, as long as it hits everyone and excludes political elites from the international arena-in a sense, they no longer have bargaining power-but I am skeptical,” Zoughaib said.
“Every foreign power here has its customers and allies [among ruling political parties], But I think they will want to target some people instead of their people. “
President Aoun’s office declined to comment on Friday’s announcement, and the office of Caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab did not respond to Al Jazeera’s inquiries.
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