Lebanon banks warns blast aims to ‘rattle’ stability

Lebanese banks warn that the country’s financial sector is at risk after a bomb blast outside a major bank in a western part of Beirut.

Politicians and local media link the attack to a law voted in December by the US Congress to impose sanctions on banks that deal with Hezbollah, which the US — along with Israel, Canada, Australia and the Arab League — defines as a terrorist group.

Several Beirut newspapers known to be critical of Hezbollah say the explosion was a “message” to banks complying with the ruling.

The explosion late last night blew out the entire glass facade of the headquarters of BLOM BANK, one of the country’s largest, but only one person was lightly wounded.

After an emergency meeting on Monday morning, the Association of Lebanese Banks condemns the attack, which it says “hurt the entire banking sector and aims to rattle economic stability.”

“The Association is subject to the applicable Lebanese laws and to the Central Bank’s circulars,” the statement says.

— AFP