AMAL Defends Khalil Following U.S. Sanctions

W460

AMAL Movement that is headed by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri held an urgent meeting on Wednesday on the heels of the US sanctions slapped against its senior official and former finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil.

The party defended the minister and issued the following statement:

First, the (US) decision will not at all change our convictions and our national constants.

Second, we will not compromise or relinquish our borders and sovereign rights in sea and land regardless of the sanctions and pressure from whichever side they come. Revealing a truth, the agreement with the US on demarcating the maritime borders in southern Lebanon was completed and approved on 9/7/2020, but the US so far rejects the announcement without any justification.

Third, the “decree” of the US Treasury Department, came at a time when the majority of Lebanese political and parliamentary forces stand close to reaching a comprehensive government that can steer Lebanon out of its crises.

Fourth, targeting brother MP Ali Hassan Khalil does not only target a person who has occupied a ministerial position for a specific period of time, but rather targets Lebanon’s sovereignty and the political organization it belongs to, targets the course of AMAL Movement and the course of defense for Lebanon and its unity as a final homeland for all its citizens, and targets our right to defend our principles, our rights and our borders.

You are mistaken about the time and place but the message has been delivered.

The United States on Tuesday slapped sanctions on two former Lebanese ministers for alleged corruption and support of Hizbullah, vowing to isolate the Iran-backed Shiite armed group and political party.

The Treasury Department targeted Khalil and former transport minister Youssef Fenianos, a member of the Christian Marada Movement that is allied with Hizbullah and the Syrian government.

The U.S. Treasury said Khalil and Fenianos "provided material support to Hizbullah and engaged in corruption."

SourceNaharnet
Comments 7
Missing lebonknees4peace 09 September 2020, 15:15

Everyone....we mean everyone! Corrupt fascists!

Default-user-icon cocoman (Guest) 09 September 2020, 15:19

Bunch of losers... Berri is next

Thumb thepatriot 09 September 2020, 17:05

I am going to be sick!
This statement is beyond ridiculous. It is from another age. From an African Bana Republic, or from Venezuela.
"targeting brother MP Ali Hassan Khalil does not only target a person who has occupied a ministerial position for a specific period of time"
As if having been a Minister makes him an honourable Man... Grose!

Thumb galaxy 09 September 2020, 17:14

AMAL party: No compromises on our border and sovereign rights in sea and land despite the sanctions and pressure.

and what do the border and sovereignty have to do with sanctions imposed on a corrupt terrorist thief?!

Missing rabiosa 10 September 2020, 17:07

My sentiments exactly. These people anytime they are cornered, their first response is Mokawameh, Tahir, self dignity. Syed Musa is turning in his grave. The funny part some relatives of mine still think he's alive and he's coming back.

Missing samiam 09 September 2020, 20:33

dude--give it up. you are just a kizb sympathizer trying to rationalize why they should be around. if you notice, amal did not DENY what he did---they just said that the US doesn't have jurisdiction. He should be tried and thrown in jail, but won't because of the corruption that pervades anything the government touches.

amal is corrupt as hell--glad someone is admitting it but not the people with tinfoil

Thumb lebnanfirst 10 September 2020, 09:02

Your logic, well it’s simply fascinating. No wonder our Lebanon is in the mess it’s in.