US sanctions a warning to Lebanon's political class

By targeting two former ministers, the US is showing it is serious about combating militia rule and Iranian influence in the Middle East

Former Lebanese Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil and former Lebanese Public Works and Transportation Minister Youssef Fenianos were sanctioned by the US for providing material support to Hezbollah. EPAShow less

The US Treasury has imposed sanctions on two former Lebanese officials: Ali Hassan Khalil, a former finance minister, and Youssef Fenianos, a former transport minister.

They are accused of corruption and enabling Hezbollah, which the US and a host of European and Arab nations consider to be a terrorist organisation.

By targeting two former ministers, the US is making a statement that it is serious about combating militia rule and Iranian influence in the Middle East.

The list of crimes both men are accused of having committed is staggering. Mr Khalil belongs to the Amal movement, a close ally of Hezbollah, and Mr Fenianos is a member of the Marada movement, a Christian group that is close to Hezbollah and the Syrian regime.

The US Treasury claims that Mr Fenianos helped Hezbollah to siphon government funds, awarded public tenders to Hezbollah-owned companies and received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the group in exchange for political favours.

He is also accused of giving Hezbollah access to sensitive documents from the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, set up to investigate the 2005 assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri.

Four Hezbollah operatives were suspected in the killing of the Lebanese statesman, although none have been handed over, even after one was found guilty.

Mr Khalil, meanwhile, has been accused of using his position as minister of finance to help Hezbollah avoid US sanctions, exempt a Hezbollah affiliate from paying most of its taxes and solicit kickbacks from government suppliers.

For the past year, protesters have taken to Lebanon's streets to demonstrate against these types of politicians and officials who are responsible for poor living conditions amid widespread corruption.

The US has repeatedly said it backed their demands, chief among which is the end of a sectarian political system that has allowed corruption to fester.

The US move comes at a pivotal time for Lebanon. In a visit to Beirut this month, French President Emmanuel Macron set a notional deadline of two weeks for the Lebanese establishment to form a competent government, and four more to enact reforms.

Less than a week away from the first deadline, the US is sending a warning to Prime Minister designate Mustapha Adib, should he be considering filling his Cabinet with pro-Hezbollah ministers.

The sanctions also aim to discourage Lebanese politicians from siding with the group.

As their patience wears thin, Lebanon's true allies in the international community may feel they are running out of options

The international community has pressured Lebanon’s elite to reform for years. In 2018, international donors pledged $11 billion in funds for Lebanon, which could only be unlocked after reforms.

Yet even after a devastating economic crisis, a public health emergency and a chemical explosion that wiped out much of the Lebanese capital, meaningful reform has never materialised.

Politicians must wake up to the reality of Lebanon's situation and recognise that an administration tethered to the misguided interests of Hezbollah cannot save the country.

International co-operation is the best path towards that outcome. But as their patience wears thin, Lebanon’s true allies in the international community may feel that they are running out of options.