Premiership Denies Govt. Endorsed U.S. Sanctions Act against Damascus

The press office of the Lebanese premiership on Monday denied that the government has endorsed a U.S. sanctions act targeting the Syrian regime.

“Some media outlets have published a report claiming that the Caesar Act for U.S. sanctions was distributed during the Cabinet session and that the government has endorsed this law,” the press office said in a statement.

“The truth is that the government intends to study the impact of this Act on Lebanon and the margins that the government could work within while avoiding negative repercussions against the country,” the office added.

“No commitment, discussion or endorsement of this Act took place during the Cabinet session,” the office clarified.

The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, also known as the Caesar Act, is a United States legislation that sanctions the Syrian regime, including Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, for war crimes against the Syrian population.

A number of Syrian operated industries, including those related to infrastructure, military maintenance and energy production, are targeted. The bill also targets individuals and businesses who provide funding or assistance to the president of Syria.

Iranian and Russian entities are addressed for their governments' support of Assad in the Syrian conflict. The legislation imposes fresh sanctions on entities conducting business with the Syrian government and its military and intelligence agencies.