EU sets out potential criteria for Lebanese sanctions: document

FILE PHOTO: Gebran Bassil, leader of Lebanon's biggest Christian bloc, speaks during a parliament meeting at UNESCO Palace in Beirut, Lebanon May 22, 2021. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

PARIS/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Criteria for European Union sanctions being prepared for Lebanese politicians are likely to be corruption, obstructing efforts to form a government, financial mishandling and human rights abuses, according to a diplomatic note seen by Reuters.

Led by France, the EU is seeking to ramp up pressure on Lebanon's squabbling politicians after 11 months of a crisis that has left Lebanon facing financial collapse, hyperinflation, electricity blackouts, and fuel and food shortages.