This is Beirut - Banque du Liban

Morgan Ortagus and the Politics of Soft Power

This Is Beirut, 05/04 15:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banque du Liban Hamas Hezbollah Joseph Aoun Lebanese Forces

The US President's Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, appears to be pursuing a policy of soft power diplomacy in Lebanon, where she began an official two-day mission yesterday. Arriving in Beirut on Friday, the American envoy held talks on Saturday morning with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker ...

Judges and BDL Governor Take Oath at Baabda Palace

This Is Beirut, 03/04 15:50 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Banks Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon Joseph Aoun

Three newly appointed judges and Lebanon’s new Central Bank (BDL) governor took their oaths of office on Thursday at Baabda Palace before President Joseph Aoun. Judges Judge Jamal al-Hajjar, Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation and Vice President of the Supreme Judicial Council, was sworn in alongside Judge Youssef al-Jamil, President ...

The Ongoing Gold Rush

Liliane Mokbel, 02/04 21:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Liban Banque du Liban Or Réserves

Gold prices continue to soar, drawing increased interest from investors and central banks worldwide. Since January 2025, the price of an ounce of gold has surged by 12%, fueling a surge in demand for the precious metal. This surge is driven by President Donald Trump’s protectionist policies and his pledge of “the mother of all trade ...

Wassim Mansouri Reflects on His Interim Leadership at the BDL

This is Beirut, 25/03 22:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon

As the Lebanese Cabinet under Nawaf Salam prepares to appoint a new governor for the Banque du Liban (BDL), assessments on Wassim Mansouri's interim tenure since August 2023 are mixed. Some view his actions as having preserved a degree of stability amidst unprecedented political and security crises, while others argue that the stability he has ...

‘Governance’ Dispute Persists as BDL Reserves Hit $10.746B

Maurice Matta, 20/03 21:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon Banque du Liban Governor Appointments

The Cabinet approved on Thursday the administrative appointment mechanism, reaffirming ministers’ role in the process. Under the agreed framework, the relevant minister will propose a list of hors-cadre candidates, while the final decision rests with the Cabinet. Meanwhile, the appointment of a new Bank of Lebanon (BDL) governor remains ...

IMF Mission Concludes Meetings in Beirut

Maurice Matta, 13/03 22:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

International Monetary Fund Banks Joseph Aoun Banque du Liban Washington

Finance Minister Yassine Jaber made reassuring remarks regarding negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) following an extensive meeting held at the Ministry of Finance with the IMF mission. During the meeting, Jaber affirmed that the elimination or partial deduction of bank deposits is a sovereign and national decision, ...

Jaber: No Increase in Customs Fees or Taxes

This is Beirut, 21/02 15:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Iran Beirut Banque du Liban Custom fees

Finance Minister Yassine Jaber assured that there will be no increase in customs fees or taxes, while emphasizing that the state will ensure the collection of all its dues. Jaber emphasized that one of the prerequisites for an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is combating customs fraud. He added that the state must strengthen ...

BDL Raises Withdrawal Limits of Circulars 158 and 166

This is Beirut, 19/02 15:50 - Reading : less than a minute

Banks Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon

The Central Board of Lebanon's Central Bank (BDL) has approved an increase in withdrawal limits under circulars 158 and 166, allowing depositors to withdraw $500 and $250 per month respectively. The decision will take effect on March 1, 2025. In a statement issued Wednesday, the BDL explained that the decision aligns with its ongoing policy ...

Figure of the Week: Electricity Production Up 36.7% in the First Half of 2024

Liliane Mokbel, 08/02 12:00 - Reading : less than a minute

lebanon Banque du Liban electricity

Electricity production increased by 36.7% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, according to data from the Banque du Liban. It reached 2.239 million kilowatt-hours (kWh), up from 1.638 million kWh during the same period last year. This growth continues the 41.7% increase seen between 2022 and 2023, when total production ...

Government Formation Delay: What Lies Ahead for Bank Withdrawal Limit Increases?

Maurice Matta, 06/02 10:55 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Banks Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon

As the political situation remains uncertain, especially regarding the formation of the government, the Central Bank of Lebanon decided at the end of January to suspend its previous policy that required banks to make multiple monthly payments to beneficiaries of Circulars 158 and 166. This decision restores withdrawal limits to pre-crisis ...

Lebanese Pound Demand Surges as BDL Boosts Reserves by $120 Million

This is Beirut, 10/01 11:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Banque du Liban Joseph Aoun Hezbollah Lebanese Pound

The surge in demand for the Lebanese pound continues, prompting the Central Bank (BDL) to bolster its reserves by $120 million within a mere two-day span. With General Joseph Aoun's election as President of the Republic, the demand for the pound has surged, reaching even higher levels for the second consecutive day. In response, BDL injected the ...

Lebanon's Central Bank Walking a Tightrope

Liliane Mokbel, 2024-11-30 15:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Banque du Liban Circulars

Lebanon’s Central Bank (BDL) is easing the pressure to appease the foreign exchange market, amid a “neither war nor peace” climate that only heightens its volatility. The decision by the BDL’s Central Council, dated November 26, 2024, reflects clear intent to implement a “flexible monetary policy” even though this approach might ...

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