US authorities sanctioned Hezbollah-affiliated politician in Lebanon

In an effort to combat corruption in Lebanon’s government, the Trump administration has placed sanctions on a Christian leader, Gebran Bassil, with ties to Hezbollah.

Bassil, the son-in-law of Lebanese President Michel Aoun, has been accused of using his leadership position to better himself financially and cover up terrorist activities by Hezbollah.

Pierre Houssney of Horizons International says calling Bassil Christian points to his ethnicity, not his faith. “He’s the son in law of the president who is also a Christian. By law, he has to be a Christian. Hezbollah, over the past few years, has been controlling these institutions. So even though there’s a Christian name on the seat, these are the Christians that Hezbollah has picked to control. And that’s how they’re using the Christians: as a proxy to lead the policy and to continue their organized crime and embezzlement.”

Source: MNN Online