Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh on Wednesday issued a statement in light of the ongoing campaigns against some financial operations by the Central Bank on the one hand, and against his personal wealth on the other. 

“Facing this situation, I have asked a well-known first-class audit firm to audit operations and investments that have been the subject of constant media speculations. The audit firm has conducted its mission in accordance with the International Standards on Related Services (ISRS) 4400 (Revised), Agreed-Upon Procedures Engagements. The findings of the audit office have confirmed that the financial operations that have been being promoted by the media are strictly unproven and misleading information,” Salameh said in a statement. “These results clearly show that not a single penny of public funds has been used for the payment of fees and commissions to Forry Associates Ltd.. My opponents, who have organized systematic campaigns against me, have misled the public opinion by spreading false information that public funds have been used. This is a pure distortion of facts in order to harm my reputation and that of others. The only fact is that no public money has ever been used,” Salameh’s statement affirmed. 

“As for my personal wealth, my opponents have been speculating about it for more than two years now; some of them have used false reports in order to mislead the public opinion. My wealth is clear, documented, and not hidden,” Salameh added. 

“My fortune has been wisely invested and has grown exponentially over a period of 28 years. It has allowed me to own my assets. (…) Contrary to my opponents who have not provided any proof, I have always relied on documented evidence, which I have provided the judicial authorities with copies, which clearly show both the origin of my wealth, and how it has grown over the last 28 years,” Salameh explained. 

“The bottom line is that it has become clear and evident that while I rely on accurate numbers and documented evidence, non-stop speculations about my fortune have been propagated through the media by my opponents. But in fact, evidence is based on facts, not mere speculations,” Salameh added in his statement. 

He finally affirmed that the report prepared by the audit office would be submitted to the judicial authorities and others concerned when required.