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Europeans raise concerns with Hezbollah sanctions bill

European officials are worried about crippling Lebanon's economy even as Beirut's bankers say they're OK with the House-passed Hezbollah sanctions bill

Lebanese riot police stand guard at the Lebanese Central Bank in Beirut February 25, 2013. An open-ended strike by teachers and civil servants entered its second week today for the government to approve the wage hike proposal. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR3E9U4
Lebanese riot police stand guard at the Lebanese Central Bank in Beirut, Feb. 25, 2013 — REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

European officials, not the Lebanese, are the ones raising sharp questions about Hezbollah sanctions legislation that unanimously passed the House in July.

France and Great Britain in particular have warned Congress and the State Department about risks to Lebanon's economy, Lebanese and Capitol Hill sources tell Al-Monitor. The legislation has stalled in the Senate partly as a result, but the bill's backers are confident they can address any concerns.

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