press releases 2009

U.S. Under Secretary of Treasury Visits Lebanon

May 15, 2009

Under Secretary of the Treasury Stuart Levey visited Beirut on May 15.  Accompanied by Ambassador Michele J. Sison, he met with Minister of Finance Mohammad Chatah, the Central Bank Vice Governors, the Chairman of the Banking Control Commission, and members of the banking community to discuss a range of issues including Lebanon’s role as a regional leader in anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism.    “I appreciate the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to a sovereign and free Lebanon and to strengthen our collaboration with Lebanon to combat the financing of terrorism and other internationally recognized threats to the integrity of the financial system,” said Under Secretary Levey.

Under Secretary Levey was confirmed on July 21, 2004 as Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, leading an office that marshals the Treasury Department's policy, enforcement, and regulatory functions to sever the lines of financial support to international terrorists, proliferators of weapons of mass destruction, narcotics traffickers, and other threats to our national security.  Under Secretary Levey has guided the development and implementation of financial strategies and authorities aimed at countering threats to U.S. national security and protecting the international financial system from abuse.