France sanctions Lebanese figures ‘for preventing crisis exit’

No names announced as French foreign minister says Paris imposes entry restrictions as a sanction for role in Lebanon’s political crisis or corruption.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has said Paris began imposing entry restrictions on certain Lebanese figures for alleged corruption or hampering efforts to find a solution to Lebanon’s protracted political crisis. Le Drian did not name the people targeted as he announced the measures on Thursday. But his comments were the first official confirmation from the French government that it has imposed sanctions against Lebanese officials for their failure to reform the country in the wake of the deadly explosion at Beirut’s port in August last year.