The bloc said it is ready to impose sanctions on Lebanon's ruling elite, including a travel ban and asset freeze, for obstructing the process of forming a functioning government.
Lawmakers have tasked ex-premier and billionaire tycoon with forming a government and ending a year of political deadlock that has further crippled the economy.
Demonstrations flare in northern city of Tripoli over the deepening political and economic crisis, sparking clashes with army and leaving at least 19 people wounded.
Lebanon PM-designate, Saad Hariri, resigns nine months after taking the post, citing difference of opinion with President Aoun over forming a government as country suffers an unprecedented economic crisis.
Lebanon is battling an economic meltdown dubbed by the World Bank as one of the deepest depressions in modern history.
Lebanese workers are striking in protests against the country’s lingering economic crisis, which the World Bank sees as among the worst in the world in 150 years.
Saad Hariri met with President Aoun for the 18th time since he was designated to form the government last October to iron out their differences over the formation of new government.
The economic and financial crisis roiling Lebanon is the gravest threat to its stability since the 15-year civil war ended in 1990.
A series of decisions under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has led the Kingdom down a path of irrelevance.
Lebanon's outgoing premier Hassan Diab became one of the first politicians to be indicted along with three ex-ministers over the devastating August 4 blast that killed more than 200 people.
The Treasury designation did not mention Gebran Bassil's alliance or links to Hezbollah, but the sanctions targeting him appeared to be part of the Trump administration’s maximum pressure campaign against Iran and its allies in the region.
Saad Hariri’s return to office has been rejected by protesters who demand change and see him as a symbol of a political class they blame for the country’s woes.
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