Treasury Deputy Secretary Neal Wolin Visits Lebanon

September 11, 2012
U.S. Treasury Deputy Secretary Neal Wolin visited Lebanon today and met with President Michel Sleiman, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Minister of Economy and Trade Nicolas Nahhas, Bank of Lebanon Governor Riad Salameh, and a number of representatives from the Lebanese banking community.  
Deputy Secretary Wolin further underscored the need for Lebanon to prevent abuse of the Lebanese financial sector by illicit actors and for Lebanese banks and regulatory authorities to remain vigilant against the evasion of sanctions by Iran and Syria.
In his meetings, Deputy Secretary Wolin expressed his confidence in the ability of the Lebanese economy and financial system to weather the impact of the Syria crisis.  He encouraged Lebanese officials to take steps to reduce Lebanon's economic vulnerabilities and promote sustainable growth, including reducing the public debt burden and improving the regulatory and infrastructure system to promote private sector growth.
He renewed the commitment of the United States to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.