Berri Rejects Prosecution of Salameh without 'Evidence'

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has warned against stirring clashes between security agencies in connection with the latest standoff over the enforcement of the subpoena issued against Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh.

“Despite the circumstances that Lebanon is going through, there is something that is very good, which is security, but creating problems between security agencies is something very dangerous and will certainly affect the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund,” Berri said in an interview with Egypt's al-Ahram newspaper.

He added: “Parliament has issued a decision and law on forensic auditing, starting by the central bank and ending by ministries, and it has already started.”

“I always say that in genera we shouldn’t convict someone unless there is evidence for accusing them and they should then be punished,” the Speaker went on to say.