Former CEO of Lafarge Claims French Authorities Encouraged Company to Maintain Operations in Syria
(MENAFN) The former CEO of cement giant Lafarge, Bruno Lafont, has claimed that French authorities encouraged the company to maintain its operations in Syria. In an interview with Liberation, a daily newspaper in France, Lafont stated that one of the reasons the state took an interest in Lafarge was that the factory site in Syria was a strategic location for the anti-Daesh/ISIS coalition and for France. He suggested that this was why the authorities encouraged the company to continue its activities in Syria.
Lafarge opened a €680 million (USD670 million) cement plant in the Jalabiyeh region of northern Syria in 2010. From 2013 to 2014, the company is said to have paid terrorist groups around USD5.9 million in exchange for allowing the factory to continue its operations. Lafont claimed that he knew nothing about these payments and suggested that the company was infiltrated by French intelligence.
In 2021, Anadolu obtained documents that revealed that France's intelligence agencies were aware of the ties between the terror group and Lafarge. These documents were published ahead of a decision by a French court in September 2021, which paved the way for Lafarge to be indicted for "complicity in crimes against humanity" in Syria.
The allegations against Lafarge have raised questions about the role of multinational corporations in conflict zones and the actions of governments in supporting their activities. The case highlights the complex ethical and legal issues surrounding business operations in war-torn countries and the responsibility of companies to ensure that they do not contribute to human rights abuses or support terrorism.
The Lafarge case also underscores the challenges facing the international community in addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria. The conflict has resulted in numerous casualties and displaced persons, and the involvement of various actors, including terrorist groups, has complicated efforts to find a peaceful resolution. The Lafarge case highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency in the actions of governments and corporations operating in conflict zones, as well as the importance of upholding international law and human rights standards in such situations.
MENAFN03042023000045014228ID1105934079
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.