Following the raid of the Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL), caretaker PM Najib Mikati stated that agreement on a new central bank governor was required before the investigation into current head Riad Salameh can continue.
His comments came shortly after a judicial raid on the Beirut headquarters of BDL, a move Mikati denounced as inappropriate due to the highly sensitive issues related to monetary stability and an alleged potentiality of an “ominous shock.”
While Mikati had once said “one does not change their officers during a war,” in defense of Salameh, his tone has since changed and he is poised to accept a replacement.
Mikati’s office has not responded to requests for comments on whether discussions on replacing the governor have already taken place.
Riad Salameh, who has served as the chief of the central bank since 1993, currently faces corruption probes in at least five European countries (Switzerland, Germany, France, Luxembourg & Lichtenstein), as well as in Lebanon.
