The Central Bank of Lebanon published an assessment showing that its foreign currency assets rose by about USD 372 million between April 2025 and April 2026, from USD 11.06 billion to approximately USD 11.43 billion. Assets had increased by USD 888 million through the end of January 2026 before declining temporarily by USD 516 million, or about 4.5%, from February through April. The central bank attributed the recent decline to exceptional geopolitical conditions that slowed its foreign currency purchases and market intervention, while cash payments increased because of higher public-sector disbursements and raised withdrawal ceilings under Circulars 158 and 166. It also noted that global exchange-rate movements, particularly in the euro-dollar rate, can produce accounting valuation changes that do not represent actual cash flows. The bank said the Lebanese pound money supply remains at previous levels and rejected claims that the temporary decline resulted from domestic monetary or fiscal policy decisions.
Central Bank of Lebanon2026-05-06
Central Bank of Lebanon reports USD 372 million net rise in foreign currency assets despite recent decline
The Central Bank of Lebanon reported that foreign currency assets rose by about USD 372 million between April 2025 and April 2026 to approximately USD 11.43 billion. A USD 516 million decline from February through April followed earlier gains and was attributed to geopolitical conditions, higher cash payments and valuation effects.