France is considering sanctioning Free Patriotic Movement President Gebran Bassil, Reuters has reported.
A senior European official has told Reuters that France has set its sights on sanctioning Bassil, who was sanctioned by the U.S. back in November 2020.
The news comes amid the anticipation of EU sanctions against Lebanese politicians involved in the political deadlock that Lebanon has been going through since its last government resigned in August 2020.
The criteria for these sanctions are likely to be corruption and obstructing efforts to form a government, in addition to financial mishandling and human rights abuses, according to the same source.
Sanctions might include asset freezes and travel bans. France, which is spearheading efforts to end the Lebanese political crisis, has already started to impose travel bans on some Lebanese officials linked to corruption.
During his meetings with Lebanese officials in Beirut on Saturday, Josep Borell, High Representative of the EU, affirmed the EU’s readiness to support Lebanon after reforms have been implemented.
If all else fails, the bloc is expected to impose sanctions to put more pressure on the Lebanese leaders.
