BEIRUT, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Acting Governor of Lebanon's central bank Wassim Mansouri on Thursday called on the government, the parliament, and the political class to work together to find a solution to the loss of depositors' money in Lebanese banks.
"If we all work together, we will find solutions, and responsibility is a shared endeavor," Mansouri told a conference held by the Lebanese Economic, Social, and Environmental Council to discuss financial matters.
Lebanon's financial crisis, which began in 2019, has led to a shortage of foreign currency and caused billions of dollars' loss for the country's banking sector. As a result, banks have imposed informal capital controls, restricting depositors' access to their dollar savings.
The Lebanese government has been unable to agree on a plan to address the crisis. The International Monetary Fund has offered a 3-billion-dollar loan, but only if the government implements a number of reforms. The government, mired in political impasses, has so far been unable to meet these conditions.
Mansouri said that it is unacceptable for depositors not to receive their deposits in dollar accounts and that the central bank must provide depositors with answers about when they will be able to access their savings.
"If the funds are available, let us inform the people. And if there is an issue, let us inform them, and if the funds are returned, let us establish the mechanism for this," Mansouri added. ■
