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“Systematic corruption has helped the Lebanese political system, represented by Bassil, to erode the foundations of effective governance to serve the Lebanese people,” said US Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin, adding that “the new decision confirms America’s support for the Lebanese people and its continuing calls for reform and accountability. “
Located in Lebanon
Lebanon has always suffered from corruption and economic mismanagement at the hands of agents of power who put their personal interests before those of the Lebanese people they represent. Popular protests began in Lebanon in October 2019, calling for reforms at the political, social and economic levels, but successive governments have failed to stop rising inflation and reduce accumulated debts. It also failed to improve already failing infrastructure or ensure that electricity and other services are provided to Lebanese homes. Economic and social conditions in Lebanon continue to deteriorate, while political officials have isolated themselves from the crisis and failed to implement the necessary reforms.
Corruption and mismanagement
Lebanon continues to suffer from an unprecedented waste crisis, caused by mismanagement and corruption resulting in the continuous dumping of toxic waste into the Mediterranean Sea, polluting the water and endangering the health of citizens. Lebanon is also witnessing an energy crisis, which left the Lebanese without electricity for hours and days with no promises from politicians and officials with translations. Government officials spend billions of dollars each time, working to solve the problem without improving reality. The political imbalance in Lebanon contributed tragically to the catastrophic explosion in the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. This event was seen by many as yet another example of neglect and corruption that hurts Lebanese citizens as the political class accumulates wealth. .
Basil’s role
Bassil held various high-level positions in the Lebanese government, assuming the Ministry of Communications, then the Ministry of Energy and Water, and then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, and his name was marked by many allegations of corruption. In 2017, Basilio consolidated his political base by appointing friends to important positions and granting others other forms of influence in the Lebanese political arena. And in 2014, during his tenure as the Ministry of Energy, Bassil issued decisions by which he approved the implementation of projects that would bring funds from the Lebanese government to people close to him, through a group of companies that formed a front for this process.
Bassil was included on the sanctions lists because he is a current or former government official, and a person who works directly or on behalf of official officials, responsible or complicit, and is directly or indirectly involved in corruption, including embezzlement state or the confiscation of assets for personal gain, or Is linked to corruption in the formulation of government contracts, the extraction of natural materials and bribery.
Penalties
Based on today’s decision, all of Basil’s property and interests, and any entity that he directly or indirectly owns, will be 50% or more prohibited, individually or with other prohibited persons, in the United States or in possession or control. of US persons about Being notified to the Office of Foreign Assets Control. USAIDS regulations prohibit all transactions issued or received by them, unless authorized under a public or private license issued by the office. The prohibition also includes providing any contribution, money, goods or services by or for the benefit of the aforementioned person.
Magnitsky Law
Based on the Magnitsky Act, the President of the United States signed Executive Order No. 13818 on December 20, 2017, in which he found that the spread of human rights violations, which can be a source of total and partial corruption outside of The United States has reached a level of danger that threatens the stability of international political and economic systems. Human rights violations and corruption undermine fundamental values for stable, secure and dynamic societies. They have devastating effects on people and contribute to weakening democratic institutions. It also undermines the rule of law, perpetuates violent conflict, facilitates dangerous people’s activities, and undermines economic markets. The United States seeks to impose tangible and meaningful consequences on those who commit serious human rights violations or engage in acts of corruption, and is working to protect the US financial system from abuse by these same individuals.
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