Department puts pressure on Hezbollah group ally.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the U.S. Treasury put sanctions on Lebanon’s former minister of foreign affairs Gebran Bassil in order to curb continued contribution to a system of corruption in Lebanon. The son-in-law of President Michael Aoun, Bassil has also previously served as minister of telecoms as well as minister of energy and water.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement, “The systemic corruption in Lebanon’s political system exemplified by Bassil has helped to erode the foundation of an effective government that serves the Lebanese people.” The United States federal government has been opposed to the Iranian group Hezbollah for years, and Bassil is a leading ally and defender of the group.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin as he leads the Treasury Department.
- For Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as he works together with fellow cabinet members to craft foreign policy for the United States.
- That U.S. officials would be wise as they make decisions regarding international relations.
Sources: AP, Reuters
