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Analysts Say Syria Sanctions to Have Wide Impact

Dale Gavlak

   AMMAN - Lebanon is facing challenges posed by the new U.S. Caesar Act,
   which authorizes new sanctions and financial restrictions targeting
   Syrian government, analysts say, because of close banking and
   commercial ties between the two countries. Analysts say Lebanon will be
   forced to revise its activities as its own floundering economy is in
   crisis due to what critics call years of mismanagement and
   corruption.'¯

   Analyst'¯Maha Yahya, who directs the Carnegie Middle East Center in
   Beirut,'¯says the Caesar Act has far-reaching implications for any
   entity or individual in Lebanon who has worked with Damascus because
   they risk sanctions.'¯

   "The Caesar Act is creating considerable pressure," she said. "The
   first list, they're mainly Syrians'¯affiliated directly with the Syrian
   regime. But it will create a lot of challenges in Lebanon. It's a
   pressure point on Hezbollah, a tool that can be brandished at any point
   to address anyone seeking to normalize with a Syria under Bashar
   al-Assad. But, also for many companies that had started preparing for
   possibly getting involved in reconstruction in Syria."'¯

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