During the European Union’s Foreign Ministers’ meeting held today, France put pressure to reach a European Law, as soon as possible, that authorizes the imposition of sanctions on Lebanese officials that Paris considers they block the process to Lebanon’s rescue and to form a “ solid” government in conformity with its initiative regarding the Lebanese situation.

Diplomatic sources told Sawt Beirut International that the penalties require a legal basis, which prevents them from being challenged before the European Court of Justice. The present legal basis is being considered by Europeans in order to reach a Lebanon-specific Law, because the Penal Law of the Union is not ready for Lebanon, and must be prepared on legal grounds. However, it is not contrary to international laws or regulations, and the issue does not reside in money laundering or any related matter. Therefore, the Europeans are considering imposing sanctions, and the European Penal Law will be a new initiative specifically developed for Lebanon. Hence, the process of formulating and preparing is not an easy step because it will affect individuals. Questions raised are whether the penalties will be implemented in conformity with the Law or escalating  penalties, and what will they stipulate. The Europeans claim that they are not willing to involve the Lebanese people, but who can guarantee that if sanctions are imposed on entities, they will not affect the people, and how will internal European negotiations take place between the Union’s 27 member states to reach a Penal system?

As a result, the sanctions will not be completed by Monday, but the Europeans will review the progress made in preparing the steps to be taken against Lebanon or some of the Lebanese who are obstructing the government at the meeting. The French, on the other hand, want to speed up the process. The problem, however, necessitates internal European agreements in order for the sanctions process to succeed. This is due to the fact that several European countries, apart from France and Germany, have taken notes on the European Commission’s European Options Paper. The draft law regarding sanctions could be amended to ensure that rules are not broken and that the Commission or European countries are not prosecuted in European courts in order to get sanctions annulled.

According to sources, the situation is currently uncomplicated. Sanctions are not to be imposed on the Lebanese citizens, according to France. And, according to a follow-up diplomatic community, France is the nation that is always supporting Lebanon, doing its best in order to maintain Lebanon’s independence, autonomy, and stability, as well as to oppose a party’s hegemony. On the other hand, the initiative has reached a crucial stage, and the French side, through either the President of the Republic or the Minister of Foreign Affairs, must declare the cancellation of such initiative, in due form, in order for it to be thoroughly and formally concluded.

There are no other proposals pending international-regional reforms since there is a major movement underway, and the dialogue is obviously related to Lebanon. However, Lebanon is currently witnessing its worst period in a century. According to reports, the only positive aspect is that there is no security danger, and the parties are not prepared for major acts of violence between them, with the exception of minor security actions related to poverty and hunger.