Jumblat Denies Remarks on Banking Sector, Salameh Confirms Banks Not Targeted

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat has denied that he had said Premier-designate Najib Miqati was being pressured by the U.S. through the Lebanese banking sector.

“I haven’t talked about any pressure over the banking issue” or other sectors, Jumblat told An Nahar daily in remarks published Monday after Hizbullah’s al-Manar TV quoted him as saying that Washington was pressuring Miqati by threatening to target banks in which he has shares.

Jumblat’s denial came after Central Bank Governor Riyad Salameh reiterated in a statement that “our banking sector wasn’t targeted.”

The Druze leader also said that he discussed with Speaker Nabih Berri during talks on Sunday the latest developments in the region, particularly Libya.

He told An Nahar that the truth in the disappearance of Imam Moussa al-Sadr would eventually appear.

“We also discussed formulas to support Premier-designate Najib Miqati in the formation of the cabinet.

“No matter how much some (people) seek to get help from foreign (countries), the cabinet would safeguard the economy and guarantee stability,” Jumblat said.