Search
Search

SANCTIONS

MP Jamil al-Sayyed denounces US sanctions against him, asks for proof of financial wrongdoing

MP Jamil al-Sayyed denounces US sanctions against him, asks for proof of financial wrongdoing

MP Jamil al-Sayyed responded to US sanctions against him at a press conference Friday. (Credit: AFP)

BEIRUT — MP Jamil al-Sayyed (Ind./Baalbeck-Hermel) responded Friday to accusations from the US government, which had targeted him with sanctions Thursday, describing the country as “a party trying to attack Lebanon’s sovereignty” and doing so “by attacking” him “as a member of Parliament.”

Here’s what we know:

    • On Thursday, the US Treasury sanctioned al-Sayyed, a lawmaker who maintains good relations with Hezbollah and the Syrian regime, along with two Lebanese businessmen for contributing “to the breakdown of good governance and the rule of law in Lebanon.” Sayyed responded by posting on Twitter that he would discuss the matter in a news conference on Friday at noon.

    • During his press conference Friday al-Sayyed defended himself, citing past comments — which he attributed to the former patriarch of Lebanon’s Maronite Christian church Cardinal Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, and Jeffrey Feltman, US President Joe Biden’s special envoy for the Horn of Africa — that cast him and his political and financial dealings in a positive light.

    • A statement issued by the US Treasury on Thursday accused al-Sayyed of bypassing “domestic banking policies and regulations” with the help of a senior official to transfer $120 million overseas, allegedly to enrich himself and his associates. The statement also mentions that al-Sayyed called on security forces “to shoot and kill protesters” gathered in front of his residence “during the 2019 protests.”

    • Commenting on the cash transferred abroad, al-Sayyed asked his accusers to submit proof of the transfers. He added that “even if I have transferred or contributed to the transfer of any amount of money, they must have passed through Banque du Liban.”

    • Al-Sayyed challenged the Americans to provide him with an entry visa so that he can “go and face them,” adding that if they “find $120 million in any pod in the world” he would use the funds to “finance the ration card with $60 million and give the other $60 million to the people of Baalbeck-Hermel.”

    • Also sanctioned on Thursday were businessmen Jihad al-Arab, who is close to former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, and Dany Khoury, one of Free Patriotic Movement head Gebran Bassil’s close associates.

    • On Twitter, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the imposition of sanctions on “two corrupt Lebanese businessmen and a member of Parliament” as “an important step in promoting accountability in Lebanon.” He added, “Lebanese officials must end corruption and take urgent action to address the crises the Lebanese people face.”

    • The total number of Lebanese citizens and residents subjected to US sanctions has risen to 80. In addition, 121 Lebanese organizations and companies have been targeted by US sanctions. 

BEIRUT — MP Jamil al-Sayyed (Ind./Baalbeck-Hermel) responded Friday to accusations from the US government, which had targeted him with sanctions Thursday, describing the country as “a party trying to attack Lebanon’s sovereignty” and doing so “by attacking” him “as a member of Parliament.”Here’s what we know:     • On Thursday, the US Treasury sanctioned al-Sayyed,...