Lebanon's central bank faces uncertainty without appointment of new governor

FILE PHOTO: Lebanese Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh speaks during a news conference at Central Bank in Beirut, Lebanon, November 11, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's central bank faces leadership uncertainty from Monday when the governor steps down with no appointed successor, risking new dysfunction in a state already hollowed out by years of political paralysis and financial collapse.

Riad Salameh leaves office after 30 years in the post, his reputation tarnished by the catastrophic financial collapse that began in 2019 and charges of corruption in France, Germany and Lebanon. He denies any wrongdoing.