LF MP Goerges Okais. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — Lebanese Forces MP Goerges Okais on Sunday called for the resignation of Banque du Liban's governor Riad Salameh, who is targeted by French and German arrest warrants on suspicion of corruption and a red notice from Interpol at France's request. However, Okais said he opposes the caretaker government appointing a successor for the central bank chief.
In a radio interview with Sawt Kel Lebnen, Okais stressed the "importance" of Salameh resigning or being removed "even if it is one week before his term ends."
Salameh's term ends in July.
Okais also said that he opposes the idea of a caretaker government appointing a successor for Salameh, saying it does not have the authority to do so. He also called for "starting with the priorities and starting with electing a new president first."
On Friday, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah also said that caretaker cabinet "does not have the prerogatives to dismiss [a senior official] or appoint" a successor to govern Banque du Liban (BDL). He used this same argument to justify the potential ascension of BDL vice-governor Wassim Mansouri, a Shiite, to head the central bank. The BDL governor position is traditionally held by a Maronite Christian.
Lebanon has been without a president since Oct. 31 when Michel Aoun left office. The government has been serving in caretaker status since it resigned following parliamentary elections in May 2022 and therefore has limited authority.
Salameh is the subject of multiple criminal investigations for alleged financial wrongdoing in both Lebanon and Europe. The BDL chief has repeatedly denied the accusations against him.
A French judge issued Salameh's international arrest warrant on May 16; the next day, Lebanon's Justice Ministry received a red notice from Interpol against the central bank governor. Earlier this week, Germany verbally informed Lebanon it had issued an arrest warrant for Salameh on corruption charges, including forgery, money laundering and embezzlement.