Glaser: Lebanon needs to protect its finances from Syria

The US embassy in Lebanon declared that the Treasury Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing Daniel Glaser landed in Lebanon on Thursday and met with PM Najib Mikati, Central Bank governor Riad Salameh and a number of representatives from the banking sector. This visit is considered Glaser’s first visit to Lebanon since he took office.  

The embassy stressed that during his meetings, Glaser underscored Lebanon’s need to take the appropriate steps to guarantee a transparent and organized banking sector to ensure Lebanon’s continuous prosperity. Glaser highlighted the need for Lebanese Authorities to protect the Lebanese financial sector from possible Syrian attempts to avoid financial sanctions imposed by the US and the EU, the embassy reported.

The embassy quoted Glaser reiterating the American point of view that it is of the utmost importance that the destabilized Syrian situation should not drag the Lebanese financial sector down the path to ruins.

 The US official urged the Lebanese authorities to live up to their international commitments, in reference to Lebanon paying its share of the STL expenses. Glaser also reiterated the support of the US administration to a stable and independent Lebanese State.