The governor of the BDL, Karim Souhaid (left), received by the Speaker of the House, Nabih Berry, on May 14, 2025. (Credit: Hassan Ibrahim/Lebanese Parliament.)
On Wednesday, May 14, Central Bank Governor Karim Souhaid said only the Cabinet and Parliament can draft or approve laws on banking sector restructuring or financial losses. His remarks came amid ongoing debate over the long-awaited banking resolution bill.
In the statement released by Banque du Liban (BDL), Souhaid emphasized that the central bank’s role is purely consultative, as outlined in Articles 71 and 72 of the Code of Money and Credit. He added that BDL's input is meant only to enhance the effectiveness of such laws and ensure they align with Lebanon’s existing banking legislation.
The BDL's press office released this statement following a meeting held in Parliament with the Finance Subcommittee tasked with studying the bank restructuring bill. This meeting was "constructive," and the discussions "will be finalized at a later date," according to the BDL's text.
The governor was also received on Wednesday by the Speaker of the Chamber, Nabih Berry, according to photos published by the press office of the legislative chief.
Last week, Souhaid strongly criticized before the Parliamentary Finance and Budget Committee the banking resolution bill, approved by the government and sent to Parliament. Souhaid denounced the project "unconstitutional and undermining the principle of BDL’s independence."
Appointed on March 27 to head the BDL, succeeding Riad Salameh, Souhaid now holds a key position in implementing the reforms required by the international community, in a country still mired in an unprecedented economic crisis. With the backing of 17 out of the 24 ministers in Nawaf Salam's government, the new governor has enjoyed, from the start, the affirmed support of the head of state.
