Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi confirmed that Lebanon received a warrant from Interpol for the arrest of Lebanon's Central Bank Governor Riad Salama. The minister’s sources revealed to "Wardna" that Mawlawi will have a media appearance in the coming hours to explain the details of the case. In an interview with Reuters, Mawlawi stated that he will execute the arrest warrant issued by Interpol if the Lebanese judiciary decides to comply with it, and noted that "the authorities are seriously discussing Salama's fate after the Interpol warrant."
For his part, Salama responded to the issuance of the arrest warrant by the Lebanese Public Prosecution, which was circulated through Interpol, stating that the request was based on the French judge's request, which stemmed from his absence from a questioning session scheduled for May 16, 2023. He confirmed to CNBC Arabia that he did not attend the questioning session because he was not notified according to the applicable rules and laws. He indicated that the basis of the Interpol alert is procedural, announcing that he will file an appeal to cancel the alert.
The warrant was issued after France released a warrant for Salama's arrest as part of its investigation into the embezzlement of hundreds of millions of dollars in public funds, an accusation that Salama denies. This is the first arrest warrant announced in connection with investigations being conducted by five European countries regarding the 72-year-old Central Bank Governor.
Mawlawi mentioned that the Interpol Red Notice was issued on Wednesday and that the Lebanese judiciary received the notification the following morning. He added, "We will implement what the judiciary says" and viewed it as "necessary" for Salama to resign. Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh Al-Shami called for the governor's resignation on Thursday.
Mawlawi noted that the issue will be discussed in a consultative Cabinet meeting on Monday, but it has already been a topic of discussion among the country's senior leaders. He added that Salama's case is "being discussed seriously."
While Salama used to frequently appear at economic events and upscale restaurants in Europe, it has become rare to see him in public, except for television interviews he regularly conducts to defend his record. Salama has long enjoyed the support of key figures in the Lebanese political elite, but this support seems to be rapidly diminishing after two senior officials stated that he should leave his position.
His departure would mark a significant turning point in the Lebanese financial collapse that has resulted from decades of extravagance, corruption, and unsustainable financial policies carried out by leaders who have allowed the crisis to escalate since 2019. The National News Agency reported that the Public Prosecution received a copy of the arrest warrant issued by French Judge Aud Borizi against Central Bank Governor Riad Salama and circulated through Interpol. The Chief Prosecutor, Judge Ghassan Oueidat, has started studying it and will set a date to hear from Salama next week and take the necessary legal action concerning it.
