On Monday, the Lebanese presidency announced that the United States will be providing aid to help rebuild Beirut.
According to a statement by the presidency’s press office, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said to President Aoun, “We will send aid to reconstruct the neighborhoods that were damaged in Beirut as a result of the explosion that occurred in the port on August 4.”
This was reportedly said during a phone call between Pompeo and Aoun on Monday, where Pompeo called to welcome the start of maritime border negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.
He also “observed the one year anniversary of the October 17 protests,” said U.S. Department of State spokesperson Morgan Ortagus.
During the call, Pompeo conveyed the anticipation of the U.S. for the quick formation of a Lebanese government that will implement reforms to better the economy, governance, and end “endemic corruption.”
This comes at a time when U.S. financial assistance to a country where U.S.-designated “terrorist organization Hezbollah” has a say in politics seems unlikely.
Just last month, the U.S. imposed sanctions on some Lebanese ministers and companies affiliated with Hezbollah, and are expected to continue rolling out with more sanctions.
