Graffiti representing the governor of BDL Riad Salameh with horns is seen in Beirut in June 2020. (Credit: AFP archive photo)
“It is a Kafka-esque situation.”
This is how a former politician, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the international arrest warrant issued against Banque du Liban (BDL) Governor Riad Salameh.
Salameh, who is the subject several corruption investigations in Europe and Lebanon, is accused of amassing vast real estate and banking wealth through embezzlement of public funds.
More than 24 hours after the warrant was issued, Lebanon’s cabinet has yet to release a statement
The decision made by French investigating judge Aude Buresi — who charged with the investigation of the Salameh’s assets in Europe, is major news.
What will the cabinet do in response to an arrest warrant against one of the country’s senior government officials?
According to several legal experts, the BDL governor should have submitted his resignation as soon formal investigations were launched against him. If he fails to do so, Lebanon’s cabinet must dismiss him from office.
It seems inconceivable that Salameh — who is the subject of a lawsuit in Lebanon, is being prosecuted in at least five different countries and whose assets were seized by an international court — is allowed to remain in such a sensitive position. But it is not impossible in a country where impunity reigns.
A source close to the case told L’Orient Le-Jour that the caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati — who was unnavailable for comment — finds himself in a delicate situation, to say the least.
If Mikati decides to dismiss Salameh from his post, he will risk attracting the wrath of his political supporters, starting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. If Mikati does nothing, he could face pressure from the Lebanese people and the international community.
“If he does not make a decision immediately, it would be even worse. This case could seriously compromise him,” said a source close to the case.
‘Riad Salameh now has fugitive status’
“The prime minister is going to let justice take its course, since the procedure is still underway,” said Mikati’s advisor, former MP Ali Darwish. “The ball is now in the court of the Lebanese and French justice and not in the hands of the executive branch.”
The Grand Serail believes they must wait for the Lebanese judiciary act accordingly.
Mikati is also counting on Salameh’s willingness to appeal the French decision, which could delay the process. Yet, according to French lawyers, the governor cannot appeal.
“Mr. Salameh now has fugitive status,” William Bourdon, a French lawyer for the Sherpa association and the collective of victims of fraudulent and criminal practices in Lebanon, told L’Orient-Le Jour. “He is the partner of his own misfortune. Everything else is smoke and mirror tricks that have nothing to do with the law”
Whatever the scenario, one thing is certain: The cabinet is trying to avoid having to take action by throwing the ball into the judiciary’s court. Mikati has some room to maneuver, as Salameh’s term as BDL governor is set to expire at the end of July.
If a president is elected in that time — which seems unlikely — the issue of the governor’s resignation will no longer be pressing, since the new president would form a new cabinet to appoint Salameh’s successor.
If no president is elected before the end of July, the current cabinet will be forced to take action.
Last Friday, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah made it clear that he does not believe a caretaker cabinet is empowered to appoint Salameh’s replacement.
“We are neither with the appointment of a new BDL governor nor with a renewal of Riad Salameh’s term of office,” said Nasrallah. “A caretaker cabinet does not have the prerogative to appoint him.”This stance could pave the way for the installation of Salameh’s Shia deputy, Wassim Mansouri, as a temporary replacement for the governorship of Banque du Liban.
For their part, the Lebanese Forces (LF) believe Salameh should resign immediately.y.
“We are now facing an international decision. The situation has changed a lot,” said party spokesman Charles Jabbour, adding that the LF believes the cabinet should appoint Salameh’s replacement. “What Hassan Nasrallah says does not pertain to us,” he added.
The Free Patriotic Movement said they would not mind if Wassim Mansouri were to take over.
“When a Christian director (Elias Baissari) took over as acting head of the General Security, the Shias did not protest. Why should the Christians do so?” said former FPM MP Eddy Maalouf.
This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour. Translation by Joelle El Khoury.