The IMF calls for Lebanon to adopt a unified reform programme to enhance economic recovery. During a meeting, IMF’s Ernesto Ramirez Rigo outlined strategies to boost investor confidence. President Aoun reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to essential reforms, following a prior IMF agreement for financial support. Concurrently, Hezbollah’s Naim Qassem emphasized the group’s defense stance against Israel’s presence in Lebanon.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Lebanon to implement a unified financial reform programme to aid the nation’s economic recovery and restore investor confidence. Ernesto Ramirez Rigo, head of the IMF mission to Lebanon, presented this vision to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Baabda Palace, emphasizing that a coordinated plan, in collaboration with Lebanese institutions and the IMF, would accelerate recovery efforts.
President Aoun expressed gratitude for the IMF’s support, asserting Lebanon’s commitment to the essential reforms, which he identified as a national priority rather than just an international demand. An agreement in April 2022 between the IMF and Lebanon aimed to provide $3 billion over 46 months, conditional upon the implementation of specific reforms.
In a separate context, Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem asserted on Sunday that the group will resist any Israeli presence in southern Lebanon, highlighting Hezbollah’s strength and dedication to national defense. During a televised statement, he indicated that despite ceasing operations during a ceasefire, the group remains militarily prepared against potential Israeli actions.
Qassem noted numerous Israeli violations have occurred over the last 60 days and reaffirmed that the ceasefire agreement requires a withdrawal of Israeli forces beyond the Litani River. On internal matters, he reiterated Hezbollah’s commitment to national stability while supporting the exclusive authority of security forces in internal security matters, yet maintaining that Hezbollah’s arms are essential for confronting Israel’s perceived existential threat.
In conclusion, the IMF has called for a unified reform programme to aid Lebanon’s economic recovery, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts with local institutions. President Aoun’s acknowledgment of the necessity for reforms underscores a commitment to national priorities, while Hezbollah’s statements highlight ongoing tensions with Israel and the group’s stance on national defense. The complex interplay of financial reform and geopolitical challenges continues to shape Lebanon’s immediate future.
Original Source: www.socialnews.xyz
