A Lebanese judge issued an arrest warrant on September 9 for Riad Salameh, the former governor of Lebanon's central bank, following his interrogation over embezzlement allegations, a judicial source told local media.

Salameh, who stepped down from his position earlier this year after nearly three decades at the helm of Banque du Liban, has been at the centre of investigations both in Lebanon and abroad.

"The first investigative judge in Beirut, Bilal Halawi, has issued an in-absentia arrest warrant for Riad Salameh," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

The warrant comes just days after Salameh was briefly detained and subsequently released. He has been subjected to questioning in relation to accusations of misappropriation of funds during his tenure as central bank governor.

Salameh has consistently denied any wrongdoing, previously attributing the accusations to political motivations.

The move marks a significant escalation in the legal proceedings against the former central banker, who played a pivotal role in Lebanon's financial policies for years.

His tenure coincided with a period of economic prosperity for Lebanon, but also saw the country plunge into its worst financial crisis in decades.

The case against Salameh is part of a broader investigation into alleged financial misconduct at the highest levels of Lebanon's banking and political establishments. It comes as the country grapples with a severe economic downturn, marked by currency devaluation, soaring inflation, and widespread banking restrictions.