The Lebanese central bank is still solvent and performing its role, Banque du Liban Governor Riad Salameh said in a statement picked up by Reuters, denying claims by Deputy Prime Minister Saade Chami that the bank had gone bankrupt. “Unfortunately, the state is bankrupt, as is the central bank, so we have a problem … the loss has occurred,” Chami said in an interview (watch, runtime: 3:02). Prime Minister Najib Mikati also sought to clarify his deputy’s statements, saying he believed Chami was referring to “liquidity, not solvency.” The country is facing runaway inflation and a currency crisis after defaulting on over USD 30 bn worth of debt last year, but could soon land IMF funding to help dig it out of the hole.

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