US secretary of state backs EU move to act on Lebanon

BRUSSELS: The European Union (EU) said on Friday it was ready to impose sanctions on Lebanon’s ruling elite over the political crisis wracking the country, ater adopting a legal framework for such measures.

“This framework provides for the possibility of imposing sanctions against persons and entities who are responsible for undermining democracy or the rule of law in Lebanon,” the EU said in a statement.

The bloc’s 27 member states must still vote unanimously for the list of people and entities to be sanctioned.

“Sanctions are intended, among other things, to compel changes in behaviour, and promote accountability for corrupt actors and leaders,” they added, saying they were ready to cooperate with the EU on Lebanon.

“It is, however, of the utmost importance that the Lebanese leadership put aside their differences and work together to form a government and enact the measures required to steer the country towards a sustainable recovery,” the EU statement said.

The United States welcomed the EU’S steps to use a “powerful tool to promote accountability on a global scale,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.

The EU said earlier in July that the sanctions measures would not be immediately implemented.

Led by France, the EU is seeking to ramp up pressure on Lebanon’s squabbling politicians, part of broader international efforts to force a stable government capable of carrying out reforms to emerge from political chaos and economic collapse following a blast that ravaged Beirut port.

On Monday, Lebanese lawmakers tasked expremier and billionaire Najib Mikati with forming a government, days ater fellow veteran politician Saad Hariri threw in the towel.

EU sanctions would target people obstructing this process, the statement read.

They “consist of a travel ban to the EU and an asset freeze for persons, and an asset freeze for entities,” it said.