Lebanon's cabinet convened at the Grand Serail on Monday to discuss the fate of the country's central bank Governor, Riad Salameh
The cabinet did not released an official stance after the meeting.
But Ali Darwich, a former MP affiliated with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, told The National that "no decision will be taken regarding Salameh's resignation until his mandate expires at the end of July, unless formal accusations are issued in Lebanon".
"The decision is in the hand of the Lebanese judiciary but the cabinet won’t do anything until then," Mr Darwich said.
The meeting led by Mr Mikati came after the French judiciary last week issued an arrest warrant for Mr Salameh after his failure to attend a hearing in Paris related to the alleged embezzlement of more than $330 million from Lebanon's central bank.
The meeting included Saade Chami, Lebanon’s caretaker Deputy Prime Minister, who has already publicly called for Mr Salameh's resignation, and 12 other ministers.
Several jurists told The National that Lebanon's cabinet has the authority to dismiss a governor based on the Code of Money and Credit, even without the need for formal accusations, particularly in cases involving serious misconduct.
"In any other country, this would have been the case a long time ago," international lawyer Karim Daher said.
"It is commonly practised in the private sector: managers are suspended when there are suspicions of misconduct.
"All the more reason in the public sector, where individuals are entrusted with the responsibility for the public interest and funds."
Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said the meeting was consultative, which means that while no decision will be enforced the objective is to assess the respective opinions of the political blocs.
On Friday, the Lebanese received an Interpol notice issued for Mr Salameh after a request made by the French judiciary.
Mr Salameh has said he will appeal the arrest warrant and the red notice.
French lawyer William Bourdon, representing the two civil parties in the French case, told The National Mr Salameh cannot challenge the warrant as long as he is evading the judiciary.
He added it was extremely uncommon for red notices to be lifted and it would occur only in the event of serious "procedural irregularities".
The extradition request regarding Mr Salameh, who holds French and Lebanese citizenship, will be reviewed by Lebanese judges.
Mr Mawlawi said the cabinet would abide by whatever decision was made. He said he believed it "necessary" for Mr Salameh to resign.
Minister of Justice Henri Khoury on Monday called for the bank governor to resign as his staying in the role "could have repercussions on the monetary situation of Lebanon".
A divisive issue
The question of his resignation remains a sensitive topic within the ruling class, given his long-standing strong political backing.
The governor on Thursday said he would not step down unless a judgment was issued.
The latest French judicial decision has largely eroded support for Mr Salameh amid growing calls for resignation from political groups such as the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) and the Lebanese Forces.
However, senior officials such as Mr Mikati have yet to be heard on Mr Salameh's resignation.
The cabinet is scheduled to convene on Friday for a regular session, at which Mr Salameh's case is expected to be discussed.
Regardless of the decision regarding his resignation, Mr Salameh's mandate is set to end in July.
There is a consensus among the political class that his term will not be extended. However, the question of his successor remains unresolved.
New hearings scheduled
The French judiciary alleges Mr Salameh has embezzled hundreds of millions of dollars from Lebanon's central bank through commissions paid by commercial banks to a shell company owned by the governor's brother.
French judges suspect the misappropriated money benefitted Mr Salameh and his entourage, including his former assistant, Ms Marianne Hoayek, notably to finance high-end real estate in Europe.
Mr Salameh is also facing accusations of tampering with banking documents in a bid to justify the legitimacy of his wealth.
Reuters reported that the French judiciary has scheduled a hearing in Paris for Raja Salameh on May 31st and for Ms Hoayek on June 13th.
The Lebanese judiciary has received the summons from France and is awaiting a reply from both individuals, a Lebanese judiciary official told The National.
Last week, a Lebanese judge was unable to locate Mr Riad Salameh to deliver him a summons prior to his hearing in Paris.
Both brothers denied wrongdoing.
On Tuesday, Mr Salameh said the French investigation neglected the “confidentiality of investigations”, and contradicted “the presumption of innocence” in its approach and in its selective application of texts and laws.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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- 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
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
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Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
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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
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
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England v South Africa Test series:
First Test: at Lord's, England won by 211 runs
Second Test: at Trent Bridge, South Africa won by 340 runs
Third Test: at The Oval, July 27-31
Fourth Test: at Old Trafford, August 4-8
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Results
6.30pm: Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh195,000 1,400m | Winner: ES Ajeeb, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Ibrahim Aseel (trainer)
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m | Winner: Al Shamkhah, Royston Ffrench, Sandeep Jadhav
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 1,200m | Winner: Lavaspin, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
8.15pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,200m | Winner: Kawasir, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi
8.50pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 1,600m | Winner: Cosmo Charlie, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
9.20pm: Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m | Winner: Bochart, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 2,000m | Winner: Quartier Francais, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
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The five pillars of Islam
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder
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On sale: 2022
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Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
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Porsche Taycan Turbo specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 1050Nm
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
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How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Company profile
Name: Tratok Portal
Founded: 2017
Based: UAE
Sector: Travel & tourism
Size: 36 employees
Funding: Privately funded
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
