Sanctions on Individuals Undermining the Rule of Law in Lebanon
The USA, 28 October 2021
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
The United States is designating three Lebanese individuals who have participated in corrupt acts or exploited an official position to benefit themselves. Acts like this have caused the Lebanese people to bear the brunt of a devastating economic crisis brought about by corruption and government mismanagement.
Jihad Al-Arab and Dany Khoury have used their close personal connections to political elites to reap the benefits of government contracts while failing to meaningfully fulfill those contracts’ terms. Jamil Sayyed, a member of Lebanon’s Parliament, used his position to skirt domestic banking policies, and as a result was able to transfer a substantial amount of currency to overseas investments in order to enrich himself. Their actions undermined the rule of law and principles of good governance.
Today’s action is being taken pursuant to Executive Order 13441.
The United States is levying sanctions on these individuals in solidarity with the Lebanese people, who have long demanded accountability, transparency, and an end to endemic corruption. We are committed to working with the Lebanese government and our international partners towards a better, brighter future for Lebanon. In 2021, the United States has provided more than $400 million in humanitarian assistance, in addition to more than $200 million in security assistance. For more information on today’s action, please see the Department of the Treasury’s press release.
