Riad Salameh
Governor of the central bank of Lebanon / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Riad Salameh?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Riad Toufic Salameh (Arabic: رياض توفيق سلامة; born 17 July 1950) is a Lebanese economist. He previously served as governor of Lebanon's central bank, Banque du Liban, from April 1993 until July 2023.[1][2] He was appointed Governor by decree, approved by the Council of Ministers for a renewable term of six years. He was reappointed for four consecutive terms; in 1999, 2005, 2011 and 2017.[3][4] Riad Salameh left his position on 31 July 2023 upon the end of his term, and due to the Lebanese parliament’s failure in electing a new president and forming a new government capable of appointing a successor he was succeeded by his first deputy Wassim Mansouri in an acting capacity[5]
Riad Salameh | |
---|---|
Governor of Banque du Liban | |
In office 1 April 1993 – 31 July 2023 | |
President | Elias Hrawi Emile Lahoud Michel Suleiman Michel Aoun |
Preceded by | Michel El Khoury |
Succeeded by | Wassim Mansouri (acting) |
Personal details | |
Born | Riad Toufic Salameh (1950-07-17) 17 July 1950 (age 73) Antelias, Lebanon |
Children | 4 |
Alma mater | Collège Notre Dame de Jamhour American University of Beirut (BA) |
Signature | |
He is the longest-serving central bank governor in the world.[6] Although credited for maintaining the stability of the Lebanese pound until 2019,[7] Salameh has been accused of corruption, money laundering and running the largest Ponzi scheme in history; he was additionally labeled "the world’s worst central banker".[8][9][1][10] He is currently under sanctions by Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.[11]