A former Lebanese economy minister is arrested on corruption charges
A former Lebanese Cabinet minister has been arrested and charged after an investigation into alleged financial crimes, judicial and security officials told The Associated Press.
Former Economy Minister Amin Salam was detained after a three-hour interrogation about illegal use of ministry funds and use of suspicious contracts. The three judicial officials and one security official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.
Lebanon has been trying to reform its battered economy, which for decades has been rife with profiteering.
Salam has been charged with forgery, embezzlement, and misuse of public funds. Local media said it was related to alleged extortion of private insurance companies and using funds from a committee that supervises those companies for his own expenses.
Salam did not directly comment. On Monday, however, he shared a video on social media that denied the reports and asserted that his use of those funds was to increase the committee's efficacy and transparency.
Salam was economy minister for over three years. He was appointed in 2021 at a time when Lebanon's economy had plummeted and the country was plagued by severe power outages, fuel shortages and stark food inflation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
US tells Israel it won't take part in any Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, Axios reports
WASHINGTON, June 12 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's administration told the Israeli government the U.S. will not be directly involved in any Israeli military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, Axios reported on Thursday, citing two U.S. sources and an Israeli source familiar with those discussions.
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Israel could strike Iran as soon as Sunday, WSJ reports
WASHINGTON, June 12 (Reuters) - Israel is prepared to attack Iran in the coming days if Tehran rejects a U.S. proposal to limit its nuclear program, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing U.S. and Israeli officials. The newspaper cited a senior Israeli official as saying a strike could come as soon as Sunday unless Iran agrees to halt production of fissile material, which can be used to make an atomic bomb. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised the possibility of strikes in a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, WSJ reported, citing two U.S. officials.
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
Trump says US remains committed to a diplomatic solution to Iran nuclear issue
June 12 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Thursday said the United States remains committed to resolving the Iran nuclear issue through diplomacy, but added that the Islamic Republic must first give up hopes of building a nuclear weapon. "We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon," he added.
