EU warns Lebanon's leaders of sanctions over 'home-made' crisis
The European Union's foreign policy chief told Lebanon's leaders on Saturday these were to be blamed for the country's political and economical crisis and some could face sanctions if indeed they continue steadily to obstruct steps to form a fresh government and implement reform. Speaking after what he called a "frank exchange" with President Michel Aoun, Josep Borrell said he was bringing a company message that the country stood on the edge of financial collapse and politicians could not afford to waste more time. "The crisis Lebanon is facing is a domestic crisis. It's a self-imposed crisis," he told reporters after talks with Aoun. "It isn't a crisis via abroad or from external factors. It's a home-made crisis, an emergency done by yourselves."
Lebanon's currency has lost 90% of its value. Over fifty percent the population are living in poverty and fighting rampant inflation, power blackouts and shortages of fuel and food.
The crisis has been exacerbated by political stalemate, with Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri at loggerheads with Aoun for months over forming a fresh government with the capacity of introducing reforms that could unlock desperately needed foreign aid. "We stand ready to assist," Borrell said. "But when there is further obstruction to solutions to the current multi-dimensional crisis in the country, we will need to consider other courses of action as some member states have proposed."
"The council of europe has been including other options including targeted sanctions."
