The United States will be imposing sanctions on people involved in the devastating Beirut Port explosion that ripped through the capital city on August 4th.
According to a local media correspondent, the U.S. is currently investigating a confidential list of names of individuals linked to the port explosion.
The U.S. Embassy Beirut was unable to provide details at this time but confirmed to The961 that more information will be released as soon as any decisions are finalized.
The massive explosion at the harbor accelerated U.S. action against Hezbollah, such as new sanctions on Lebanese politicians and companies affiliated with the Iran-backed group.
The U.S. has long classified Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and is blaming it for causing corruption in Lebanese politics.
However, the U.S. is most likely to impose sanctions on all corrupt Lebanese leaders, not just those with links to Hezbollah.
Even though investigations are still underway, the general public believes that Lebanon’s governmental corruption is what led to the deadly explosion – which could have been prevented.
Furthermore, the failure to form a new government, due to pressure from Hezbollah and Amal to maintain the ministry of finance under their control, has demonstrated to the international community the extent of decay in Lebanon’s political practice.
It has exacerbated the concerns of the EU, and France in particular, for Lebanon that continues sinking into its crises, and triggered a fiery reaction from the French President.
President Macron, who stated not willing to impose sanctions, is nevertheless considering freezing the accounts of the Lebanese political figures in France’s banks.
