Lebanon has been placed on financial crime watchlist, international body says

Lebanon has been placed on a so-called “gray list” of countries under special scrutiny by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the financial crime watchdog said on Friday, despite requests for leniency from Lebanese officials.

The FATF said Lebanon had made progress on several recommended actions and would continue to implement reforms.

Lebanon has been in a financial crisis since 2019 and faces destruction from Israeli military operations against armed group Hezbollah. The gray-listing is likely to further deter investment and could impact the links between some Lebanese banks and the global financial system.