The IMF has urged Lebanon to implement a unified financial reform programme to improve economic recovery and restore investor confidence. During a discussion with President Joseph Aoun, IMF representatives outlined necessary collaboration with local institutions. Additionally, Hezbollah’s leadership restated its commitment against Israeli presence in southern Lebanon while emphasizing national stability.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Lebanon to adopt a unified financial reform programme as a means to facilitate economic recovery and enhance investor confidence in the nation. During a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Beirut, Ernesto Ramirez Rigo, head of the IMF mission to Lebanon, outlined strategic plans for Lebanon’s exit from its ongoing financial and economic crisis.
Rigo emphasized the importance of a coordinated plan, created collaboratively with Lebanese institutions and the IMF, to accelerate the recovery process. Aoun expressed gratitude for the IMF’s support and underscored Lebanon’s commitment to enacting essential reforms, which he classified as a national priority in addition to being an international request.
In April 2022, the IMF agreed at the staff level to provide Lebanon with 3 billion US dollars over a 46-month financing programme; however, the disbursement of funds is contingent upon the implementation of specific reform measures. Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s Secretary General Naim Qassem has asserted the organization’s determination to prevent any Israeli presence in southern Lebanon, reinforcing Hezbollah’s role in national defense and stability.
In an interview with al-Manar TV, Qassem indicated that Hezbollah maintained military readiness despite pausing operations during a ceasefire agreement. He reiterated that Israel’s actions over the past two months reveal multiple violations, stressing the need for Israel to withdraw beyond the Litani River, as stipulated in the agreement. Additionally, Qassem affirmed Hezbollah’s support for national security forces while asserting that the group’s arms are essential for resisting perceived threats from Israel, which he described as an existential danger.
The IMF has highlighted the urgent need for Lebanon to implement a unified reform programme to restore economic stability and investor confidence. The collaboration between Lebanese institutions and the IMF is crucial to addressing the financial crisis and meeting preconditions for financial aid. Meanwhile, Hezbollah continues to assert its position regarding national defense and the necessity of resistance against Israeli threats, emphasizing the intertwined nature of security and governance in Lebanon.
Original Source: www.thehansindia.com
