Report: Aoun's Position at Arab Summit Draws Fate of U.S. Measures against Banks

After his latest defensive statements of Hizbullah and its weapons, President Michel Aoun is under a “pressure campaign” at the domestic and international levels “to prevent him from making unfavorable positions at the upcoming Arab League Summit,” as concerns mount that U.S. authorities could tighten measures on Lebanese banks over alleged facilitation of Hizbullah transactions, al-Akhbar daily reported on Thursday.

It is estimated that the pressure campaign and intimidation will continue, at least until the Arab summit convenes at the end of March in Amman, to prevent Aoun from declaring “undesirable” positions at the highest Arab forum, said the daily.

Until then, anticipation at the highest Western and Arab levels continue, said the daily. A large number of diplomats have asked for a meeting with the President before the summit, where he is expected to make a “notable” position.

The President defended Hizbullah's arms during an interview on Egyptian TV channel CBC last month, and said that “Hizbullah's arms do not contradict with the State and are an essential component of the means to defend Lebanon.”

Two days after the interview, the president's speech formed one of the agenda points for the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, said al-Akhbar.

U.S. media reports have later asked whether the “United States should provide military assistance to the Lebanese army after Aoun considered Hizbullah's existence a necessary defense for Lebanon against Israel.” They called on Washington for the cessation of aid to the Lebanese army.

They also pointed out that the “U.S. administration can pressure Lebanon by targeting banks, or reducing funding for the army and displaced Syrians,” pointing out that “the Lebanese banking system may soon face harsh sanctions from the U.S. Treasury.”

Al-Akhbar added, Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon Riad Salameh was reportedly informed by the Americans of preparations in Washington for the adoption of new regulations to tighten measures on Lebanese banks under the pretext of facilitating financial transactions for Hizbullah.