Lebanon’s cash economy under scrutiny: Can notaries catch suspicious funds?

News Bulletin Reports
06-10-2025 | 13:00
High views
Share
LBCI
Share
LBCI
Whatsapp
facebook
Twitter
Messenger
telegram
telegram
print
Lebanon’s cash economy under scrutiny: Can notaries catch suspicious funds?
Whatsapp
facebook
Twitter
Messenger
telegram
telegram
print
3min
Lebanon’s cash economy under scrutiny: Can notaries catch suspicious funds?

Report by Bassam Abou Zeid, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian

The U.S. policy toward Lebanon is clear in its efforts to combat the cash economy, which facilitates money laundering and allows the financing of Hezbollah. Washington is determined not to leave what it considers loopholes that could be exploited in this context.

Based on the Notaries Law and the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Law, Justice Minister Adel Nassar issued a directive last week requiring notaries to verify the source of funds involved in any transaction or contract they notarize, ensure that all parties are not listed on national or international sanctions lists, and refrain from processing transactions if otherwise. 

Notaries must also notify the Justice Ministry and the Special Investigation Commission at Lebanon’s central bank in such cases.

In their first reaction, notaries said they lack the tools to verify the source of funds beyond asking clients directly, though they can report suspicious transactions after completion. They also cited logistical and practical difficulties in coordinating with the Special Investigation Commission regarding names listed on sanctions lists and questioned which types of transactions fall under the directive.

A meeting was held between the Justice Ministry and the notaries to reach an understanding over the directive. 

During the meeting, Nassar warned that Lebanon risks being placed on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “black list” if it fails to close loopholes in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism measures. 

The notaries, however, told the minister that the responsibility cannot fall solely on them, especially since they lack the proper tools to implement such oversight. Both sides ultimately agreed on steps to cooperate in enforcing the directive.

Lebanon finds itself caught between the hammer of international demands and standards and the anvil of Hezbollah’s resistance to financial restrictions. Observers say the only viable way forward may be to accelerate reforms, particularly in the banking sector, and restore its proper functioning as the most effective means of curbing the cash economy.

Lebanon News

Lebanon Economy

News Bulletin Reports

Lebanon

United States

Cash Economy

Notaries

Hezbollah

Funds

Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

Adel Nassar

LBCI Next
In Lebanon’s South, a year after war: Memories endure amid the silence of ruins
Gaza on edge: Escalation and negotiations continue in parallel
LBCI Previous
Download now the LBCI mobile app
To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world
Google Play
App Store
We use
cookies
We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.
Accept
Learn More