Bassil Defiant after Being Hit with U.S. Sanctions
The U.S. administration on Friday announced sanctions on Free Patriotic Movement chief MP Jebran Bassil, who is the son-in-law of President Michel Aoun.
MTV said the sanctions were imposed under the Global Magnitsky Act, which targets those who are engaged in human rights abuses and corruption.
Bassil swiftly hit back in a tweet.
"Sanctions have not scared me and promises have not tempted me; I do not turn against any Lebanese and I don’t rescue myself to let Lebanon perish," Bassil said.
"I'm used to injustice and I have learned from our history that in this Levant, it is our destiny to carry our cross every day so that we remain," Bassil added.
In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described Bassil as a “corrupt Lebanese political leader.”
Bassil has served in multiple high-level posts in the Lebanese government, including as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Minister of Energy and Water, and Minister of Telecommunications.
“Throughout his government career, Bassil has become notorious for corruption and has been linked to the purchase of influence within Lebanese political circles,” Pompeo said.
“While Minister of Energy, Bassil was involved in approving several projects that would have steered Lebanese government funds to individuals close to him through a group of front companies,” he added.
He noted that Friday’s actions “build on the recent counterterrorism designations under Executive Order 13224 of former Lebanese officials, Youssef Fenianos and Ali Hassan Khalil, who put personal interests and those of Iran-backed Hizbullah ahead of the welfare of the Lebanese people.”
Pompeo added: “Through his corrupt activities, Bassil has also undermined good governance and contributed to the prevailing system of corruption and political patronage that plagues Lebanon, which has aided and abetted Hizbullah’s destabilizing activities.”
“Lebanese political leaders should be aware that the time has long passed for them to put aside their own narrow self-interests and instead work for the people of Lebanon,” Pompeo urged.
Pompeo added that he has also designated Bassil under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2020 due to “his involvement in significant corruption.” The move bars Bassil’s entry into the United States.
The Treasury’s action meanwhile blocks all of Bassil’s property and interests in the U.S. and prohibits transactions with him.
“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,” said Secretary of Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin.
“This designation further demonstrates that the United States supports the Lebanese people in their continued calls for reform and accountability,” he added.
A senior U.S. government official meanwhile said that "Bassil has repeatedly used his influence to stall government formation efforts, most recently in the current process, which has further delayed any chance of Lebanon pursuing meaningful economic reform."
"With today's action, we encourage Lebanon to form a government that excludes politicians known to have engaged in corruption and to pursue meaningful economic reform," the official added.
However, the official insisted that the action Friday had "nothing to do" with the U.S. election or attempts to form a government in Lebanon.
Another U.S. official also noted that Bassil's party is "closely aligned" with Hizbullah.
Bassil was a main target of a nation-wide protest movement that started in October 2019 demanding the removal of politicians deemed inept and corrupt.
Activists believe he is behind many shady state dealings, especially during his time at the head of the energy ministry between 2009 and 2014.
Bassil, however, has repeatedly denied the accusations against him, insisting that his party is at the forefront of efforts to root out corruption from Lebanon.
06 November 2020, 17:31
16
Even his passport number is corrupt lol:
https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20201106
06 November 2020, 17:58
15
"I do not turn against any Lebanese" LOL cute coming from him, so "the midget is not for turning", to paraphrase the Iron Lady's "The lady's not for turning". You see midget boy, it is not that you will turn against anyone, it's how many of the few idiots that still standing with you will turn against you. Many have US citizenships and interests and not many are whiling jeopardize them for your sake.
06 November 2020, 18:13
27
God bless FPM chief Gebran Bassil for being defiant against the useless and meaningless U.S sanctions. The resistance aka the lebanese government should retaliate and impose sanctions on the United States, U.S goods, and U.S Dollar.
Shia Shia Shia !!!
06 November 2020, 18:15
16
libanaisresilient 13 hours ago
OMG another big step towards the Presidency! Long live Bassil! You're the Man!
06 November 2020, 18:20
04
بعد المعلومات التي تم تداولها عن عقوبات اميركية ستستهدف وزير الخارجية جبران باسيل، ردّ الوزير السابق غسان عطالله على الخبر المتداول عبر حسابه على تويتر.
وجاء في تغريدته التالي :” عم نسمع عن عقوبات ممكنة على الوزير باسيل، ولكن اذا معتقدين انو بعقوبات منقدم تنازلات عن ثروة بلدنا وعن شبر أرض وعن قناعتنا بمدّ اليد لأي مكوّن من المكونات اللبنانية فمين ما كان يكون يلي بدو يحط عقوبات ما بيعرفنا… نحن من مدرسة يستطيع العالم أن يسحقني لكنه لن يأخذ توقيعي جبران”.
06 November 2020, 19:42
06
@bigjon
When was the last time you talked to Bassil and he told you he 'could care less'? gtfo pos!
06 November 2020, 19:20
14
Bassil punished for denouncing the Israeli enemy HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Seriously bigjohn who's making you talk?
Lebanese foreign minister denounced over Israel comments. Lebanese politicians on Thursday criticized Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil over a television interview in which he was shown saying that Lebanon did not have an ideological problem with Israel and was not against it having security. Reuters November 15, 2017
Gebran Bassil: "The Only Way to Stop Israeli Attacks on Lebanon is to be Neutral" July 20th, 2020
Geran Bassil had a big secret role in the negotiations between Lebanon and Israel regarding the demarcation of the border between them.
06 November 2020, 19:35
00
Reading the comments of you all is just a confirmation that Lebanese people still haven't understood anything. The USA only cares about the USA. They sanction those who don't line-up with their own policies. If the sanctions were because of corruption, all Lebanon's leaders and half of its population would be sanctioned as well along with Bassil. But instead, the USA is only sanctioning those who don't follow its interests. Lebanon will never see the light, as long as Lebanese allow other countries to interfere, from Iran to SA to all the rest. Lebanon's leaders are all corrupt, and that's what you should expect in a country where people are loyal to their blood-suckers leaders instead of their country. Keep defending your leaders as Saints, and attacking others as demons. This is where you will remain all of your existence.
06 November 2020, 19:39
06
Have you heard of the term follow the money? Regardless even if he got rid of all the assets and liquidated everything he owns they can follow where the cash went and seize it all... He is not smarter than the forensic auditors from the FBI or IMF...
06 November 2020, 19:47
04
Hey Bigjohn aren't the Lebanese negotiating with Israel on the maritime borders? Direct or indirect negotiations means you are admitting that Isarel exists you just don't want to talk to them directly. Grow up and get your head out of the sand!!!
06 November 2020, 20:00
03
علّقت الإعلامية ديما صادق في تغريدة عبر حسابها على “تويتر” قائلةً: “هيلا هيلا هيلا هيلا هووووو طارت الرئاسة يا حلو”.
06 November 2020, 20:09
05
Let Bassil be defiant as much as he likes! The new reality that he will have to deal with is:
1) All his and his family's bank accounts in Lebanon and overseas will be frozen and the money confiscated.
2) The Lebanese Central Bank has to comply with these sanctions as it is part of the International Banking System.
3) Bassil can no longer be part of any government and his aspirations of becoming the next president are all out of reach.
4) He will not be able to travel to the USA and most of Europe.
