Hungary has informed Lebanon that it plans to veto European sanctions on Lebanese officials, Al-Akhbar reported on Saturday.
Hungary also plans to object to classifying Lebanon’s Hezbollah as a terrorist organization in the European Union, according to the newspaper.
The EU has been preparing sanctions on Lebanese politicians involved in blocking the formation of a new government for weeks. A framework for the sanctions is expected to be ready by the end of this month.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, whose country has been leading international efforts to end the political crisis in Lebanon, said last week that there was “a European political consensus to take sanctions against Lebanese parties before the end of this month.”
Though relying on sanctions to pressure Lebanese politicians appears to have the backing of the majority of the EU according to Le Drian, Hungary remains a vocal opponent of the plan, which it had openly denounced earlier this year.
Hungary is reportedly also joined by Italy, Bulgaria, Poland, and Denmark in opposing the move.
This opposition will likely prove problematic for the implementation of any sanctions, as such a decision would require the consensus of the member countries of the European Council.
