Lebanese President Michel Aoun affirmed on Tuesday the continuation of his country’s efforts to combat corruption, money laundering, and terrorist financing. The Lebanese presidency office said, in a statement, that the remarks came during Aoun’s reception of the United States Treasury delegation at the Presidential Palace. The statement added, “Lebanese laws are applied firmly and accurately in this field, and international financial institutions attest to this.” The statement referred to “Lebanon’s active participation in international efforts to combat money laundering, and exercising its role in the Financial Action Group for this purpose in the Middle East.” Aoun clarified that Lebanon did establish a National Coordination Committee for fighting the financing of terrorism and the National Anti-Corruption Commission. The statement added that the US delegation presented to Aoun the objectives of his visit to Beirut and cooperation with the Lebanese government in following up the banking situation in the country. The delegation included: First Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury responsible for combating the financing of terrorism and financial crimes Paul Ahren and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury Eric Meyer. US Ambassador to Lebanon, Dorothy Shea also attended the meeting. “One of the most prominent manifestations is the insistence on achieving forensic audits in the accounts of the Central Bank, which is handled by the ‘Alvarez and Marsal’ company after removing obstacles to its work,” Aoun added. Moreover, the president confirmed that the “Capital Control bill is present in the Parliament, and it was one of the most prominent points mentioned in the decree calling for the Parliament to hold an exceptional contract so that it can study and complete it before the end of their current mandate next May”. The American delegation had presented the objectives of their visit to Beirut, focusing on cooperation with the Lebanese government in following up the banking situation in the country, especially issues related to money laundering, combating corruption, on-going negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, and the status of the Lebanese banking sector. — Agencies