Washington's feedback on the candidates for the top role in shaping Lebanon's monetary policy is the latest example of the U.S.' unusually hands-on approach to the Middle Eastern country, where a more than five-year financial crisis has collapsed the economy.
Since then, Lebanon has elected U.S.-backed Joseph Aoun as president, and a new cabinet without a direct role for Hezbollah has taken power. That government must now fill vacant posts - including at the central bank, run by an interim governor since July 2023.
The sources spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity to discuss Washington's role in the selection process, the details of which have not been previously reported.
The Lebanese sources, who were briefed on the meetings, said the U.S. officials asked candidates questions, including how they would fight “terrorist financing” through Lebanon’s banking system and if they were willing to confront Hezbollah.
The Trump administration official said the meetings were part of “normal diplomacy” - but said the U.S. was making its guidance on candidates' qualifications clear to the Lebanese government.
“You need somebody who is going to implement reform, demand reform, and refuse to look the other way whenever people try to do business as usual in Lebanon,“ the official said.
The Lebanese sources said some of the candidates being considered included former minister Camille Abousleiman, Firas Abi-Nassif, head of an investment firm, Jihad Azour of the International Monetary Fund and Philippe Jabre and Karim Souaid, both heads of their own asset management firms.
Triggered by widespread corruption and profligate spending by the governing political elite, the economic crisis impoverished most Lebanese, demolished the Lebanese pound and brought the banking system to a standstill.
Western and Arab countries have also set reforms as a condition to provide any reconstruction support to Lebanon, large swathes of which were left in ruins by Israel's military campaign last year.
The Saudi government's media office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Through most of his time as central bank chief, Salameh was feted as a financial wizard and enjoyed the backing of the U.S., which has a keen interest in the position because it oversees Lebanon's broader banking system and helps keep it compliant with U.S. laws preventing the financing of groups designated as “terrorist” factions, including Hezbollah.
A month after he left office in 2023, Salameh was sanctioned by the United States, Britain and Canada, which accused him of corrupt actions to enrich himself and his associates, and is facing charges of financial crimes in Lebanon and broad.
Last year, Lebanon was placed on a financial watchdog’s “grey list” after failing to address concerns about terrorism financing and money laundering through its financial system.
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