The Central Bank of Lebanon announced that it has completed all financial transfers related to the COVID-19 vaccine and the hospital dues.
The National News Agency reported that the bank's media office clarified in a statement that the Central Bank received a request from the Ministry of Finance yesterday afternoon to transfer an amount of $18 million abroad to purchase the COVAX vaccine for COVID-19, noting that the Central Bank executed the required fund transfer immediately. The bank's statement indicated that it had received a request from the Ministry of Health on Monday for the transfer of specific amounts for public and private hospitals as payment for COVID-19 patients' bills, confirming that the relevant departments at the Central Bank executed these transfers promptly.
The Central Bank asserted that it is executing all incoming transfers that meet legal requirements quickly, emphasizing its top priority for transfers related to combating COVID-19.
In a related context, Governor of the Central Bank, Riad Salameh, issued a statement mentioning that he met with the President of the Court of Cassation, Ghassan Ouiedat, and provided all answers to the questions raised, both in his own capacity and on behalf of the Swiss Attorney General. He confirmed that no transfers had occurred from the accounts of the Central Bank or from its budgets.
Salameh added that he assured President Ouiedat of his readiness to answer any questions, noting his right to pursue legal action against anyone who insists on spreading malicious rumors and misinformation that personally harm him and damage Lebanon’s financial reputation.
