Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Lebanon’s Iran-backed militant Hezbollah group, has said Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh should resign or be stripped of his post.
Mr Nasrallah urged for action against Mr Salameh in a televised speech commemorating the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000.
“In Hezbollah, we believe that there are two options. The first is for the governor to step down of his own volition,” Mr Nasrallah said. “Or, the judiciary must shoulder its responsibilities.”
Mr Salameh, 72, faces a growing list of legal troubles. France, Germany and Luxembourg are investigating him and his associates over alleged financial crimes, including illicit enrichment and the laundering of $330 million.
But until now, Lebanon's cabinet has declined from demanding Mr Salameh's removal in the absence of formal accusations from the Lebanese judiciary.
A growing number of government officials, including Saade Chami, Deputy Prime Minister of the caretaker government, have made similar calls.
But a cabinet meeting on Monday did not produce a formal decision.
And Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, known for his long-standing support of Mr Salameh, has yet to issue an official statement on his position.
The cabinet is to meet again on Friday, although Mr Salamah's removal does not appear on the meeting's agenda, despite calls for his resignation and an Interpol red issued against him.
Mr Chami had earlier this week written a seven-page letter to fellow ministers, later leaked to the media, calling for Mr Salameh's dismissal.
Mr Salameh was questioned by a Lebanese judge on Wednesday. His Lebanese and French passports were confiscated after France issued an arrest warrant over corruption charges, effectively preventing him from travelling abroad.
Lebanon does not extradite its citizens or hand them over to international tribunals. But the judiciary is able to order Mr Salameh's arrest or file formal accusations against him.
A French judge issued an international arrest warrant earlier this month, which was followed by an Interpol red notice after Mr Salameh failed to appear in Paris for questioning.
Once regarded as a saviour for reviving Lebanon's economy post-civil war, Mr Salameh is now widely blamed for an economic meltdown that began to show tangible signs in 2019.
Economic experts say the crisis was caused by financial engineering, akin to a Ponzi scheme, aimed at increasing central bank reserves and maintaining the value of the currency 1,500 Lebanese pounds to the dollar.
The Lebanese pound has since plummeted – losing over 98 per cent of its value – and the corresponding economic crisis has wiped most of the savings of ordinary citizens.
Today over 80 per cent of Lebanon's population is impoverished.
Mr Salameh, who is also under investigation in Lebanon, denies all corruption allegations, saying his wealth came from inherited properties, investments and years spent working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch.
He said he would only resign if convicted and announced last week that he planned to appeal against the Interpol red notice.
Mr Salameh has held his post for about 30 years. His current term will end in July.
On a regional level, Mr Nasrallah also demanded that Israel “retracts their threats and give up their arrogance”, saying that any mistake could “blow up the entire region”.
Mr Nasrallah's rebuke follows a warning earlier this week by Israel's military intelligence chief, who said Hezbollah was “close to making a mistake that could plunge the region into a big war”.
The warning came after Hezbollah conducted military exercises last week that simulated war against its southern neighbour.
Both parties are longtime enemies and technically still at war.
Agencies contributed to this report
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
Results
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStage%206%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E1.%20Tim%20Merlier%20(BEL)%20Soudal%20Quick-Step%20%E2%80%93%203hrs%2041min%2012sec.%3Cbr%3E2.%20Sam%20Bennett%20(GBR)%20Bora%20%E2%80%93%20Hansgrohe%20%E2%80%93%20ST%3Cbr%3E3.%20Dylan%20Groenewegen%20(NED)%20Team%20Jayco%20Alula%20%E2%80%93%20ST%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EGeneral%20classification%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E1.%20Remco%20Evenepoel%20(BEL)%20Soudal%20Quick-Step%3Cbr%3E2.%20Lucas%20Plapp%20(AUS)%20Ineos%20Grenaders%20%E2%80%93%209sec%3Cbr%3E3.%20Pello%20Bilbao%20(ESP)%20Bahrain%20Victorious%20%E2%80%93%2013sec%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Ben White
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Raheem Sterling
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
A German university was a good fit for the family budget
Annual fees for the Technical University of Munich - £600
Shared rental accommodation per month depending on the location ranges between £200-600
The family had budgeted for food, books, travel, living expenses - £20,000 annually
Overall costs in Germany are lower than the family estimated
As proof that the student has the ability to take care of expenses, international students must open a blocked account with about £8,640
Students are permitted to withdraw £720 per month
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
