Lebanese minister on bank raids by savers wanting own cash
Minister urges Lebanon鈥檚 judicial system to 鈥渂e sympathetic鈥� to desperate savers holding-up banks.
Lebanon is in an economic crisis which the World Bank says is one of the worst globally in 150 years.
Lebanese banks have enforced tight restrictions on the amount of hard currency their customers can withdraw and has led some to take desperate measures. More than a dozen banks have been held-up in Lebanon this year by savers demanding to take out their own money.
Amin Salam is Economy Minister in a caretaker government that is trying to turn around Lebanon鈥檚 financial woes.
He told Hardtalk鈥檚 Stephen Sackur: 鈥淚 have deep sympathy鈥� with all Lebanese people that are really suffering.鈥� People, he said, 鈥渁re more fearful today than ever before that whatever is left from their funds might disappear.鈥�
In one case a woman armed with a toy gun staged a hold-up at a bank to pay for family medical bills.
Mr Salam said he was 鈥渁gainst anyone resorting to violence and breaking the law,鈥� but also believed those engaging in this desperate behaviour should be treated with leniency: 鈥淚 think the judiciary system should be sympathetic with them, as long as they don鈥檛 harm any souls.鈥�
Lebanon is currently negotiating a bailout deal with the International Monetary Fund.
There is hope a new agreement with Israel to establish a permanent maritime border might allow Lebanon to begin exploiting natural gas fields under the Mediterranean Sea. It is seen as a possible lifeline for its ailing economy.
