BEIRUT - Lebanon's gross foreign exchange reserves rose to $9.66 billion at the end of April from $9.45 billion two weeks earlier, the central bank said on Wednesday, the first increase since the killing of a former prime minister.

Banque du Liban said in a statement foreign reserves stood at 14.567 trillion Lebanese pounds on April 30 compared to 14.253 trillion on April 15.

Its foreign currency reserves had been declining since the Feb. 14 killing of Rafik al-Hariri put pressure on the currency, forcing it to intervene heavily in the market.

Foreign reserves stood at $11.40 billion in mid-February, before the assassination unnerved investors who had seen Hariri as the country's best hope for economic revival, suggesting the bank had spent at least $2 billion defending the pound.

The reserve figures include deposits from commercial banks but the central bank, which has vowed to maintain the currency within the intervention band of 1,501-1,514 against the dollar, does not disclose net reserves that are thought to be far lower.

Pressure on the pound has eased since Syria ended its 29-year military and intelligence presence in its tiny neighbour a week ago and a new government was formed, raising hopes of an end to the political crisis sparked by Hariri's death. (Reuters)