“French firm's CEO to quit amid claims of funding Syrian rebels”, 24 April 2017

French-Swiss cement maker LafargeHolcim said…its chief executive Eric Olsen is stepping down following an internal investigation into the company's activities in Syria. 

His resignation, which has been accepted by the group's board, will be effective on 15 July, LafargeHolcim said in a statement.

Olsen's departure follows an inquiry into the indirect financing by Lafarge of armed groups in Syria, a country torn by civil war, to keep one of its cement plants operational. 

"While I was absolutely not involved in, nor even aware of, any wrongdoing, I believe my departure will contribute to bringing back serenity to a company that has been exposed for months on this case," [Olson] said.

In March, LafargeHolcim admitted that it had resorted to "unacceptable practices" to continue operations at one of its now-closed factories in Syria.