US Treasury undersecretary in Beirut discussing 'sanctions against Syria'

(AFP) - "A top US treasury official met with Lebanon's premier and representatives of the banking sector on Tuesday to discuss international sanctions against Syria and other issues, the US embassy said.

It said David Cohen, US Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, had stressed in his meetings the need for Lebanon to ensure a transparent and well-regulated financial sector.....
"He reiterated the US view that it is important to ensure that the current instability in Syria does not undermine the Lebanese financial sector."
Cohen's visit is part of a tour of three countries in the region to discuss international sanctions against Syria and Iran. Apart from Lebanon, he has also visited Iraq and is due to go to the United Arab Emirates.
.....  in his meeting with Cohen, Prime Minister Najib Mikati underlined Lebanon's commitment to abide by international regulations.
"We are keen on respecting international decisions and cooperating with financial and international authorities," said the official, who requested anonymity.
"The banking sector cannot do anything that would expose it," he added.
Central Bank governor Riad Salameh, who met Cohen on Tuesday, has repeatedly stressed that the Lebanese banking sector would abide by sanctions against Syria, which for long exercised great influence over its smaller neighbour.
The sanctions include freezing Syrian government assets and suspending cooperation with Syria's central bank and some other banks.
Lebanon's government, which is controlled by the militant group Hezbollah, an ally of Damascus, has avoided taking a stand on the Syria crisis for fear of a spillover."