BEIRUT- The overnight interbank rate for Lebanese pounds fell to 15 percent on Monday thanks to increased liquidity, two banking sources said, after last week spiking to 75 percent, its highest rate since a political crisis last year.

A third banking source said the rate was between 10 and 15 percent on Monday. "It's calming down for the time being. Last week it was a bit squeezed," one of the sources said.

A range of factors were cited to explain last week's spike, including that banks were seeking to keep their assets at a high level ahead of the end of the year, and that some individuals may be converting pounds to dollars, boosting demand for pounds. 

The rate reached 117 percent in November last year when Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri unexpectedly resigned during a visit to Saudi Arabia - a step he later rescinded as it was widely acknowledged that Riyadh had forced him to step down.

(Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Alison Williams) ((thomas.perry@thomsonreuters.com; Reuters Messaging: thomas.perry.reuters.com@reuters.net))