Lebanon's central bank governor Riad Salameh was on Wednesday questioned by a judge in Beirut after Interpol last week issued a Red Notice as part of an international corruption investigation.
Imad Kabalan, the attorney general at the Court of Cassation, questioned Mr Salameh behind closed doors.
Mr Salameh was told to surrender his French and Lebanese passports to the judiciary.
He is now banned from leaving the country but remains in his position in the central bank.
The Interpol notice came in response to a request from the French judiciary, which issued an arrest warrant for Mr Salameh on Tuesday after he failed to appear at a hearing in Paris relating to allegations of embezzlement of more than $330 million from Lebanon's central bank.
He was then classified as a fugitive.
Low expectations
Some observers said they had low expectations of the Lebanese judiciary's ability to reach decisions.
Extradition is not on the table as Lebanon is not legally compelled to extradite Mr Salameh, and the country has a long-standing policy of not expelling its citizens.
"But the judge could have decided on Mr Salameh's arrest in Lebanon, place him under house arrest or filed formal accusations," lawyer Karim Daher said.
"This might have sent a positive signal to the European judiciary", he added, stressing that the proceedings are "still in the investigative phase and not at the stage of conviction".
A judicial action from Lebanon could also have had a decisive effect on Mr Salameh's tenure as chief of the central bank.
The executive power shifted the responsibility of his dismissal to the judiciary, with the cabinet saying it needed formal accusations to be issued in Lebanon, despite legal experts suggesting it could dismiss Mr Salameh based on the code of money and credit.
AFP said the Lebanese judge requested the French judiciary to gain access to the whole file related to the case before making any decision to "determine whether the Lebanese judiciary will prosecute him for the crimes he is accused of in France".
Lebanon has already opened an investigation related to the same case of fraud for which Mr Salameh was charged in February with money laundering, embezzlement and illicit enrichment.
"There is already evidence in the Lebanese case against Riad Salameh on which the judge could rely. This should have been sufficient for the Lebanese authorities to take appropriate measures and file formal accusations without additional elements from the French judiciary," Mr Daher said.
Observers said this might lead to a delay in the legal proceedings in Lebanon and push back any decision regarding his dismissal until Mr Salameh's mandate naturally expires at the end of July.
Calls for resignation
Calls demanding that the governor step down are intensifying but the matter remains highly sensitive because Mr Salameh has long enjoyed strong political support since assuming his mandate in 1993.
He denies any wrongdoing and his spokesman said no official communique was released after Wednesday's hearing.
He is suspected of having laundered misappropriated funds with the help of his brother Raja in Europe, where he and his entourage own properties valued in the millions.
On Tuesday, Germany's public prosecutor informed the Lebanese judiciary of another international arrest warrant for Mr Salameh.
European investigators traced the flow of funds from an account at the Lebanese central bank, uncovering a complex network of layering operations that involved among others the Luxembourg and Swiss banking systems to allegedly finance high-end properties in France, Germany, the UK and Belgium.
A team of German, Luxembourg and French investigators was established in 2022 to exchange information, leading in March 2022 to the freezing of assets valued at €120 million ($130 million) related to Mr Salameh and his relatives.
This year, the investigating team has made several visits to Lebanon, gathering evidence and conducting hearings, including with Mr Salameh and his brother.
MATCH INFO
Leeds United 0
Brighton 1 (Maupay 17')
Man of the match: Ben White (Brighton)
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
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Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
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Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 268hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy: 6.7L / 100km (estimate)
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Bundesliga fixtures
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
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Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
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Name: Oulo.com
Founder: Kamal Nazha
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2020
Number of employees: 5
Sector: Technology
Funding: $450,000
The specs
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- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
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Date started: 2012
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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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.
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