Mikati refuses to merge “Capital Control” and guarantee deposits

Beirut: «Al-Khaleej», agencies

Yesterday, Thursday, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati stressed that it is not possible to put matters on the path of financial and economic recovery without approving the files requested by the International Monetary Fund with absolute transparency, considering that merging “Capital Control” and guaranteeing deposits is wrong, while the Lebanese party’s deputies requested A parliamentary session was held with the aim of casting confidence in Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib, while a decision was issued to seize the properties of Raja Salameh, brother of the Governor of the Banque du Liban Riad Salameh, while the Chilean police announced that they had arrested a Portuguese wanted by Interpol on suspicion of being linked to the explosion of the port of Beirut in August 2020 At the beginning of the cabinet session, yesterday, Thursday, Mikati said that “Capital Control and deposit insurance were merged, and this is wrong,” noting that “Capital Control” was supposed to approve on the first day of the crisis, and if we were to present a plan. An economic recovery, so this measure is supposed to be taken for a certain period, in order for the money to remain in Lebanon.” He added, “One of the things that the IMF requires is approving the budget, (Capital Control), banking secrecy, and restructuring banks, and matters cannot be put on the path of recovery without the adoption of these laws in all transparency,” stressing that “the approval of the plan did not take place in the Council of Ministers, and we were clear. In that, because we are waiting to hear opinions and observations from the ministers, and we are open, and we sent it yesterday to the House of Representatives for information only and to give comments.” Mikati had received yesterday the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Lebanon, Walid Al-Bukhari, before heading to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah and to go on a Gulf tour that includes Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain. Before entering the session, Energy Minister Walid Fayyad responded to what was reported by the media regarding the World Bank’s refusal to finance gas and electricity contracts, by saying, “This is what we heard,” noting that “he is in constant contact with the World Bank’s management, with the US Ambassador Dorothy Shea and the French Ambassador Anne Greu. And with the management of the World Bank in the region, and the ball is now in the court of the American administration and the World Bank, in order for them to enter us with them in the stage of formal negotiations, which is an essential stage for financing.”

On the other hand, deputies from the “Strong Republic” bloc affiliated with the “Lebanese Forces” party led by Samir Geagea submitted a request to hold a session of the House of Representatives with the aim of casting confidence in Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib, because of what he considered grave violations committed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the issue of expatriates voting in the elections. next parliament.

Meanwhile, the Chilean police announced that they had arrested a Portuguese wanted by Interpol, on suspicion of being linked to the explosion that destroyed the port of Beirut. The man, whose name has not been revealed, arrived in Santiago from Spain, but the Chilean authorities prevented him from entering the country and immediately returned him to Madrid in coordination with Interpol.