Lebanon's central bank head denies transferring money abroad from official accounts
Lebanon’s central bank governor has denied that he transferred money from official accounts to personal accounts in Lichtenstein, claiming the allegations were part of a campaign against him and the central bank.
Governor Riad Salameh said Cristal Credit Groupe International, the company which produced the reports of transfers dating back to 2016, is "known to everyone" to produce forged reports. The company is based in Lyon, France and is managed by Kevin Rivaton, Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported yesterday.
Pictures of the reports of the transfers were posted on social media by an account named "@alebanonymous." The report's validity is yet to be verified.
“Compiling such a report came at the request of certain Lebanese authorities whose names and identities are known by the Central Bank of Lebanon. The bank has informed the competent authorities outside Lebanon of the details of what was contained in this forged report, in order to take appropriate legal measures thereon," Salameh said.
Last week, Lebanon announced it would audit its central bank in a bid to show transparency after debt restructuring talks were launched.
The Arabic outlet Al Arab reported that Salameh “has been under attack for months by a campaign by Hezbollah and its allies” for the governor’s stance toward US sanctions against the Iran-backed political and military group.
The recent allegations come just months after investigations were launched into money funneled into foreign bank accounts as nationwide protests began in mid-October 2019.
Read more:
Lebanon draft crisis plan sees need for $10 bln-$15 bln over next five years
Lebanon banks to work with central bank to set daily FX rate
Lebanon waiting to see if creditors will cooperate or ‘go legal’: Minister
-
Lebanon draft crisis plan sees need for $10 bln-$15 bln over next five years
Lebanon requires net external financing of $10 billion-$15 billion over the next five years to help it through its financial crisis, according to a ... Economy -
Coronavirus could infect thousands in Lebanon: Report
A recent report, obtained exclusively by Al Arabiya, projects a massive spread of COVID-19 in Lebanon. The forecast put in place by an international ... News -
Video of coronavirus-themed balcony wedding proposal in Lebanon widely shared online
Video of a creative coronavirus-themed wedding proposal on a balcony in Lebanon has been widely shared online, providing entertainment amid the ... Variety -
Syrian refugee in Lebanon sets himself on fire over dire economy amid coronavirus
A Syrian refugee in Lebanon lit himself on fire outside his house over the increasingly desperate economic situation in the country, one that many ... Features