BEIRUT/WASHINGTON: The US is weighing in with Lebanon’s government on the selection of the country’s next central bank governor in a bid to curtail corruption and illicit financing for armed group Hezbollah through Lebanon’s banking system, five sources familiar with the issue said.
Washington’s feedback on the candidates for the top role in shaping Lebanon’s monetary policy is the latest example of the US’ unusually hands-on approach to the Middle Eastern country, where a more than five-year financial crisis has collapsed the economy.
It also demonstrates the US’ continued focus on weakening Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group whose sway over the Lebanese government has been reduced after the group was pummelled by Israel in last year’s war.
Since then, Lebanon has elected US-backed Joseph Aoun as president, and a new cabinet without a direct role for Hezbollah has taken power. That government must now fill vacant posts — including at the central bank, run by an interim governor since July 2023.
The US is reviewing the profiles of a handful of candidates for the role, according to three Lebanese sources briefed on the issue, one Western diplomat and an official from US President Donald Trump’s administration.
The sources spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity to discuss Washington’s role in the selection process, the details of which have not been previously reported.
US officials met with some potential candidates in Washington and at the US embassy in Lebanon, two of the Lebanese sources and the Trump administration official said.
The Lebanese sources, who were briefed on the meetings, said the US officials asked candidates questions, including how they would fight “terrorist financing” through Lebanon’s banking system and if they were willing to confront Hezbollah.
The State Department, White House and the offices of Lebanon’s president and prime minister did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Trump administration official said the meetings were part of “normal diplomacy” — but said the US was making its guidance on candidates’ qualifications clear to the Lebanese government.
“The guidelines are, no Hezbollah and nobody who has been caught up in corruption. This is essential from an economic perspective,” the official told Reuters.
“You need somebody who is going to implement reform, demand reform, and refuse to look the other way whenever people try to do business as usual in Lebanon,” the official said.
MAJOR ROLE IN REFORM
The Lebanese sources said the candidates being seriously considered included former minister Camille Abousleiman, Firas Abi-Nassif, head of an investment firm, and Philippe Jabre and Karim Souaid, both heads of their own asset management firms.
The next governor will play a major part in any economic and financial reforms, which Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam have pledged to prioritize to help Lebanon emerge from a devastating financial meltdown that began in 2019.
Triggered by widespread corruption and profligate spending by the governing political elite, the economic crisis impoverished most Lebanese, demolished the Lebanese pound and brought the banking system to a standstill. Lebanon’s new government is looking to resume talks with the International Monetary Fund for a financing program, but the reforms remain a prerequisite. Western and Arab countries have also set reforms as a condition to provide any reconstruction support to Lebanon, large swathes of which were left in ruins by Israel’s military campaign last year.
In that vein, US officials were discussing the candidates for central bank governor with Saudi Arabia, according to the Western diplomat and the Trump administration official.
The Saudi government’s media office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The incoming governor would replace interim chief Wassim Mansouri, who has been overseeing the bank since the 30-year tenure of longtime head Riad Salameh ended in disgrace in 2023.
Through most of his time as central bank chief, Salameh was feted as a financial wizard and enjoyed the backing of the US, which has a keen interest in the position because it oversees Lebanon’s broader banking system and helps keep it compliant with US laws preventing the financing of groups designated as “terrorist” factions, including Hezbollah.
But Lebanon’s financial collapse tainted Salameh’s legacy. A month after he left office in 2023, Salameh was sanctioned by the United States, Britain and Canada, which accused him of corrupt actions to enrich himself and his associates, and is facing charges of financial crimes in Lebanon and broad. Last year, Lebanon was placed on a financial watchdog’s “grey list” after failing to address concerns about terrorism financing and money laundering through its financial system.
US weighing in on Lebanon’s next central bank chief, sources say
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US weighing in on Lebanon’s next central bank chief, sources say
- US aims to curb Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon’s banking
- Candidates include Camille Abousleiman, Firas Abi-Nassif, Philippe Jabre
Middle East AI adoption reaches 75%, beating global average: PwC survey
RIYADH: Artificial intelligence is becoming embedded across Middle East workplaces, with 75 percent of employees using AI tools at work over the past year, a higher rate than the 69 percent global average, a new survey showed.
According to PwC’s Middle East Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2025, the region is outpacing global peers in adopting AI for everyday work, driven by government and corporate digital transformation efforts.
Based on responses from 1,286 employees, the survey indicates AI use has moved beyond pilot stages, with 32 percent of workers using generative AI tools daily — above the global average of 28 percent and reflecting growing familiarity with AI-driven workflows.
The survey findings align with trends observed in Saudi Arabia, where advanced technologies such as AI are being widely embraced across workplaces.
In November, a report released by KPMG highlighted the Kingdom’s progress in the technology sector, noting that 84 percent of CEOs in Saudi Arabia are ready to deploy AI responsibly — well above the 76 percent global benchmark — supported by the Kingdom’s data governance ecosystem, including national initiatives led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.
Earlier this month, data from the Global AI Index revealed that Saudi Arabia ranked fifth globally and first in the Arab region for growth in the AI sector.
Commenting on the findings, Randa Bahsoun, partner at PwC Middle East, said: “As employees confidently embrace change, build new capabilities and show remarkable adaptability with AI, they also want to feel secure and supported.”
She added: “Organizations that provide clarity on how roles will evolve, expand access to learning and protect wellbeing will be the ones that retain talent and get ahead in a fast-changing labor market.”
Adapting to the tech-driven future
The latest PwC survey found that the Middle East workforce is confidently leading the integration of AI into daily work, while prioritizing job security and skills development at higher rates than their global counterparts.
According to the report, 49 percent of employees in the region expect technological change — including AI, robotics and automation — to impact their jobs to a large or very large extent over the next three years, compared with 45 percent globally.
PwC said this trend reflects not only higher adoption, but also greater readiness and comfort with next-generation technologies across the region.
Employees in the Middle East increasingly view emerging technologies as tools that enhance productivity and creativity rather than threats to job security.
Around eight out of 10 employees said AI has improved their productivity, with 87 percent reporting higher-quality work and 84 percent citing increased creativity.
Higher confidence among younger employees
The survey found that younger employees in the region demonstrate significantly higher confidence in AI’s potential, with millennials and Gen Z being the most hands-on users of AI tools. These groups are adopting new technologies quickly and often outpacing older cohorts in both usage and creative application.
“This puts early career employees in a strong position to adapt to the evolving technological demands of entry-level roles,” said PwC.
It added: “For employers, this is an opportunity to leverage younger talent to drive digital adoption and performance, while providing guidance, clarity and support as AI continues to reshape the future of work.”
Acquiring the tools
Skills development remains a defining priority for the Middle East workforce, according to the survey.
The report found that 69 percent of employees in the region gained new skills over the past 12 months, compared with 56 percent globally.
Some 81 percent of respondents said they would prefer a job that offers opportunities to build transferable skills — higher than the 69 percent global average.
Job security has also emerged as the top priority, with 85 percent of employees saying it is very important.
“As employees in the Middle East seek balance and flexibility, their expectations of career progression and reward are also evolving. Fewer employees are asking for a pay rise than last year, signalling a more cautious labor market,” said PwC.
The report found that engagement levels among the Middle East workforce remain among the highest globally, with 78 percent of regional employees saying they look forward to going to work, compared with 64 percent globally.
Despite this high level of engagement, 45 percent of employees said they feel fatigued at least once a week, and nearly half reported feeling overwhelmed, indicating that workload intensity is becoming a significant pressure point.
Converting momentum to benefits
PwC highlighted several actions organizations should prioritize to convert the current AI momentum into a lasting advantage.
The firm said companies should communicate clearly and consistently about where AI technologies are being deployed, what will change across processes, how job roles will be affected and where new value will be created.
The report also emphasized the importance of building a continuously evolving, future-ready, skills-first workforce that can fully harness AI’s potential.
“Leaders need to ensure upskilling, reskilling and capability building move 22 beyond periodic initiatives and become a key element of their organizations’ forward-looking business strategy,” said PwC.
It added: “This means identifying future skill needs early, assessing current capabilities to understand gaps and using those insights to create development pathways tailored to roles, seniority and diverse career trajectories.”
Companies should also foster a culture of agility and innovation and equip managers to effectively support AI-enabled teams.
PwC said managers must have the clarity, tools and protected time needed to coach teams, support skill development and manage workloads in ways that sustain employee engagement and wellbeing.
“This can be achieved by setting clear performance expectations for managers around employee development and wellbeing and supporting them with the knowledge and guidance needed to fulfil these responsibilities,” added PwC.
Organizations should also prioritize flexibility, autonomy and balanced workloads to sustain high performance, giving employees the freedom and clarity to manage their work effectively.
The report suggested that expanding flexible work arrangements, strengthening autonomy in day-to-day decision-making and giving teams a greater voice in how work gets done could help employees perform at their best.
“The Middle East’s workforce continues to demonstrate a powerful blend of optimism, ambition and adaptability. The challenge now is for leaders to amplify these strengths through vision, transparency and care – ensuring that technology, trust and talent progress together,” concluded the report.
Earlier this month, a KPMG report echoed similar views, saying UAE CEOs are accelerating investment in artificial intelligence while prioritizing people, skills and responsible innovation as core drivers of future growth.
The report said 84 percent of CEOs in the UAE expect to expand headcount over the next three years, while 80 percent are already redesigning roles to integrate AI collaboration across their businesses.
