Carlos Ghosn detained and questioned by Lebanese authorities

Former Nissan chairman and chief executive Carlos Ghosn has been detained and questioned by investigators in Lebanon after fleeing prosecution in Japan.

Ghosn, who turned up in Beirut on New Year's Eve, was summoned by prosecutors after an Interpol warrant was issued for his arrest. Lebanese authorities also issued a travel ban for the fugitive.

On Wednesday, Ghosn gave a two-and-a-half-hour statement, in which he emphatically denied allegations of financial misconduct made against him and claimed there was a plot to eject him from Nissan and sink a planned merger with Renault.

Ghosn was reportedly being questioned at the Justice Palace in Beirut.

His lawyer, Carlos Abou Jaoude, said he was "very comfortable" with proceedings in Beirut but more importantly added that Ghosn himself was comfortable, "especially after what he went through".

Ghosn's file was reportedly referred to public prosecutor Judge Ghassan Oueidat for a decision.