Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/1277 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Lebanon

Summary:

Decision (CFSP) 2021/1277 - adopted by the Council of the European Union on 30 July 2021 - establishing a framework for targeted restrictive measures to address the situation in Lebanon.

Further information:

The Council of the European Union adopted a set of conclusions in December 2020 highlighting the financial, economic, social and political crisis affecting Lebanon. The Council urged the Lebanese authorities to implement reforms to rebuild the confidence of the international community, and all stakeholders to support the urgent formation of a credible government in the country. In the meantime, the Lebanese population were the first and the most affected by the crisis. Facing a lack of progress in the situation, the Council reached at a meeting in July 2021 a political understanding that a sanctions regime would be established against those responsible for it.

The framework for the restrictive measures was adopted on 30 July 2021. It provides for the possibility of imposing sanctions against persons and entities who are responsible for undermining democracy or the rule of law in Lebanon. Measures consist of a travel ban to the European Union (EU) and an asset freeze for persons, and an asset freeze for entities. In additions, EU persons and entities are forbidden from making funds available to those listed. The Decision was published in the Official Journal on 2 August 2021.

Official

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 30/07/2021: Lebanon: EU adopts a framework for targeted sanctions https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/07/30/lebanon-eu-adopts-a-framework-for-targeted-sanctions/

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News

Deutsche Welle, 02/07/2021: As Lebanon nears collapse, EU debates sanctions https://p.dw.com/p/3vvxZ

The Guardian, 13/07/2021: EU prepares sanctions against Lebanon leaders a year after Beirut blast https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/13/eu-lebanon-sanctions-a-year-after-beirut-port-blast

Reuters, 13/07/2021: EU wants Lebanese sanctions regime framework by end July https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/france-says-eu-has-decided-pressure-lebanese-leaders-with-sanctions-2021-07-12/

France24, 30/07/2021: EU adopts framework for sanctions on Lebanon to aid formation of a government https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210730-eu-adopts-framework-for-sanctions-on-lebanon-to-aid-formation-of-a-government

Al Jazeera, 30/07/2021: EU adopts framework to sanction Lebanese officials https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/30/eu-adopts-framework-to-sanction-lebanese-officials

Deutsche Welle, 12/07/2021: EU takes step towards issuing sanctions over Lebanon crisis https://p.dw.com/p/3wLiP

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