Lebanese Justice Ministry Accuses Former C.bank Chief Salameh of Financial Crimes

A protest in support of the arrest of former Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh outside the Palace of Justice in Beirut (EPA)
A protest in support of the arrest of former Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh outside the Palace of Justice in Beirut (EPA)
TT

Lebanese Justice Ministry Accuses Former C.bank Chief Salameh of Financial Crimes

A protest in support of the arrest of former Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh outside the Palace of Justice in Beirut (EPA)
A protest in support of the arrest of former Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh outside the Palace of Justice in Beirut (EPA)

Lebanon's justice ministry formally accused former central bank governor Riad Salameh on Thursday of financial crimes, the state news agency reported.
Salameh, 73, was arrested on Tuesday over alleged financial crimes including illicit enrichment through public funds.

According to Reuters, he has long denied all accusations of wrongdoing.
He will remain in detention at least until a hearing is scheduled, probably next week, two judicial sources told Reuters on Wednesday.



FAO: Yemen Floods Displaced Over 9,000 Families in One Month

A person and his children stand near a flooded stream caused by heavy rain, in Sanaa, Yemen, 02 September 2024. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
A person and his children stand near a flooded stream caused by heavy rain, in Sanaa, Yemen, 02 September 2024. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
TT

FAO: Yemen Floods Displaced Over 9,000 Families in One Month

A person and his children stand near a flooded stream caused by heavy rain, in Sanaa, Yemen, 02 September 2024. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
A person and his children stand near a flooded stream caused by heavy rain, in Sanaa, Yemen, 02 September 2024. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB

As Yemen's rainy season nears its end, UN data showed that widespread flooding in August led to the displacement of over 9,000 families.
In August, Yemen faced an emergency situation as widespread flooding triggered a major humanitarian crisis across multiple areas, said the Agrometeorological Early Warning Bulletin published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) this week.

It said that the frequency and intensity of daily rainfall decrease. However, the landscape remains severely affected by recent heavy precipitation.

The Central Highlands, with their mountainous terrain channeling water into valleys and lowlands, continue to experience residual flooding effects.

Despite early warning messages issued by various organizations, including FAO's Food Security and Nutrition Information System, the severity of the floods surpassed expectations. These events resulted in: Displacement of over 9,000 families, extensive damage to personal property and infrastructure, and significant disruption to livelihoods and daily activities.

The floods occurred with an intensity that overwhelmed local capacities and exacerbated existing vulnerabilities in the country, said the bulletin. The scale of the disaster underscored the challenges faced by Yemen in managing hazards and highlighted the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.

According to the bulletin, in the near future, Yemen is expected to experience varying levels of precipitation, with certain regions facing significant rainfall - Central Highlands and Southern Uplands.