Former President Michel Suleiman stated in a statement: "The proceeds from gas should never be used, just like gold reserves or state properties, for the following reasons: 1- To pay off public debt either entirely or partially; 2- To compensate bank losses and/or depositors; 3- To cover the annual budget deficits. Only a portion of the oil revenues can be invested, and small depositors can be assisted from the profits of these investments, provided that these aids remain a debt on those responsible for compensating the deposits.
To prevent the case of the flash drive mentioned by the Financial Times from turning into a 'Raijh' story, the judiciary and investigative journalism must act to uncover the truth behind it.
Banking and political circles were preoccupied yesterday with what the Financial Times reported about a senior Lebanese politician, stating that former Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh stored sensitive information in a flash drive and deposited it abroad, to be used in case he encounters any harm.
Informed sources questioned "the information that Salameh holds against individuals in the political, judicial, security, and banking systems. Will he use it if the system abandons him and he is arrested for trial?" These sources told "Nidaa al-Watan" that influential parties within the ruling system are now involved in handling the file of Salameh, who is being pursued internationally and is accused of serious financial crimes in Lebanon, Europe, and the U.S.
