Pressure on Lebanon to Curb Hezbollah Financing

American and European pressure is increasing on Lebanon to curb the financing of Hezbollah and its institutions, reinforced by direct and indirect messages to senior officials that the grace period has ended. Asharq Al-Awsat quoted a Lebanese financial official as saying that the international community requires resolving the file of the Al-Qard Al-Hasan Association or any alternative institutions, tightening oversight of cash flows and enhancing cross-border tracking mechanisms, and complying with international sanctions lists. Meanwhile, the government of President Nawaf Salam is dealing with the economic and living crisis through exceptional measures, including raising support and social benefits for the poorest families and public sector employees, along with judicial and administrative measures to prosecute those involved and recover embezzled funds.