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As expected today, the US Treasury announced the imposition of sanctions against the leader of the Free Patriotic Movement, Representative Gebran Bassil, under the Magnitsky Act.
In response to the US sanctions against him, Bassil tweeted: “Neither the sanctions scared me nor the promises attracted me … I am not turning against any Lebanese nor do I save myself to destroy Lebanon … I am used to it. to injustice and I learned from our history … We were written in this East that We carry our cross every day … to survive “.
Reuters reported that senior US officials refuse to suggest that the imposition of sanctions on Gebran Bassil is linked to efforts to form the Lebanese government. He also quoted a senior US official as saying that “the United States will continue to hold corrupt Lebanese politicians accountable, and Bassil’s support for Hezbollah is the motivation for the United States to punish him.”
A senior administration official said Bassil took advantage of his position as minister of energy and water.
For his part, US Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin said: “The systematic corruption in the Lebanese political system represented in Bassil helped to undermine the foundations of effective government.”
According to the United States Treasury report, and as a result of the sanctions, “all of Basil’s property and interests in the United States of America or anywhere in his custody, and any entity that is directly or directly owned by him. indirectly, they will be prohibited and must be reported to the Office of Foreign Assets Control “.
PompeoFor his part, the US Secretary of State said that “Bassil’s corruption helped Hezbollah to carry out destabilizing activities.”
He added: “Basilio, through his corrupt activities, contributed to the patronage system prevailing in Lebanon.”
Pompeo noted that anyone against whom these sanctions have been issued is no longer eligible to enter the United States.
He continued: “Lebanese leaders must listen to their people, implement reforms and end corruption. The United States of America classifies Gebran Bassil as a corrupt former minister who abused his government positions.”
He added: “The people of Lebanon deserve the best.”
In the information, MTV stated that the US sanctions against Bassil are the beginning, not the end, and that the sanctions continue and will be directed at prominent Lebanese figures.
He also revealed that President Michel Aoun and Bassil were aware of the sanctions, and the announcement from the United States Treasury today was not a surprise to them, and that Aoun was personally informed of them.
A spokesman for the US embassy told Al Jadeed that “The Free Patriotic Movement or its members have nothing to do with the sanctions, and are limited to the person of Representative Gebran Bassil.”
Wall Street sources said that sanctions against Bassil had been in the works for some time and would be imposed on him to help him provide political cover for Hezbollah.
These sanctions are aimed at undermining Hezbollah’s power in Lebanon, and the sanctions will include freezing his personal bank assets.
These sanctions will constitute a moral blow to their political ambitions, strengthening their isolation at all levels.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reportedly approved the sanctions and signed them in the morning.
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