BEIRUT – Lebanon’s Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh said that he would not run for president, although his name was being circulated in the media for the presidency.
“Having one’s name suggested for the presidency is different than running for president, because the latter means that the person is seeking the post,” Salameh told An-Nahar newspaper in remarks published Friday.
However, Salameh said electing him as president would not require any amendment to the constitution.
He also noted that he would prefer staying outside the limelight in order to “keep the Central Bank away from politics and political exploitation.”
The Central Bank governor said that extending President Michel Suleiman’s term would cause economic losses to the country.
“Based on previous experiences, the extension of the president’s term in general causes a big economic and financial cost.”
Source: Lebanon Now