Al-Akhbar: Washington “revives” Salameh: No sanctions against the governor of the Central Bank

Al-Akhbar wrote:

After the state of uncertainty experienced by the governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, Riad Salameh, and the political and banking forces, it seems that the United States of America “pulled” the fuse by announcing that the Foreign Ministry announced that the news of imposing sanctions on the ruler it was “wrong”. This coincided with the price of the dollar, both buying and selling, surpassing the threshold of 10,000 Syrian pounds, which caused the street fire in a way that suggests that the next few days will witness more anger that cannot be easily control.

After the Swiss Federal Prosecutor’s Office designated the governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, Riad Salameh, as a suspect in cases of embezzlement and money laundering, the governor acknowledged in his meetings with his “friends” that the United States of America “they abandoned him.” These US officials concerned about the Lebanese issue have raised a “criticism” of the monetary administration, and their input into the details of the decisions, such as the question about the implementation of Circular 154, specifically in regards to forcing politicians and bank owners to return. 30% of his funds transferred between 2017 and 2020. But Salama’s awareness of the change in American mood towards him does not negate the fact that the Bloomberg Agency, the day before yesterday, published a long report, citing four sources, which contained information about the possibility that the US administration imposes sanctions on him. , was a “leap” for him. For many years, Salameh was a member of the “Washington Men” club, with whom he exchanged information, on the condition that he remain in his position and trust him, and carried out his orders even without a direct request from her. That his “final role” for Americans remains “less” than imposing sanctions that would end his career as governor of a central bank and impose harsh personal restrictions on him, his family, and his businesses abroad.

Salameh’s first reaction was to operate his communications network to ensure the veracity of the information. When “Bloomberg” publishes a report and confirms that he had interrupted the information with four US officials, it means that he actually got inside news. The answer that came to Salameh was reassuring for him, and on this basis he began to answer the interrogators that he was confident that the published report was incorrect. Then Salama, or those in his orbit, moved on to Jaw’s generalization that the banks were “damaged” by his recent circulars, and that the “restrictions” placed on them by the “central” were the ones that “incited” the Governor Bloomberg to leak fake news. Salameh wants to suggest to the public that it is “the human being” who wants to reactivate the work of the banking sector, while the banks are “disturbing elements” who do not adhere to the circulars. He finally realized the existence of an article in Circular 154 that “urges” politicians and bank owners to return 30% of their transfers abroad, and decided that it was a “battle” that he would go through to the end. , so the Banks showed their weapons against him. This is the story of Salameh, who falls when his story is reviewed by blowing up his circulars, and always finding outlets for the banks until his situation is resolved even at the cost of depositors’ money and the public domain. And its latest decline is leaving the way for various banks to secure the 3% liquidity required of them even after the February 28 deadline expired. After indicting the banks, the Banque du Liban media office announced that Salameh “will bring legal cases against the US Bloomberg Agency and its correspondent in Beirut, and against all who support them with crimes of news fabrication, insults and attempts to discredit the governor of the Central Bank. “Notably, Salameh waited until yesterday afternoon to issue his statement, awaiting the official US position on the matter. , Ned Price, answered questions from accredited journalists that “I don’t want to get ahead of things or talk about political reactions at this point.” The gray stance was explained by Casey Bonfield, media spokesperson at the United States embassy. United in Lebanon, stating that reports of possible sanctions imposed on Salameh were “incorrect.” “Reuters” quoted a spokesman for the US State Department. saying that “we have seen reports of possible sanctions against Riad Salameh”. These reports are incorrect.