LONDON — It was 2008 and unlike many countries, Lebanon was sailing through the worst global downturn in 80 years largely unscathed. With a booming economy and resilient banks, central bank governor Riad Salameh confidently talked up Lebanon's success. "I saw the crisis coming and I told the commercial banks in 2007 to get out of all international investments related to the international markets," Salameh, now one of the world's longest-serving governors at 26 years, told the BBC at the time. Those efforts were lauded by the IMF and accolades followed. More than a decade later, however, his record is under attack.

Source: International New York Times November 15, 2019 18:22 UTC