Presidency of the Republic of Lebanon

10/19/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/20/2021 00:22

President Aoun to the representative of the Arab Group at the International Monetary Fund: “Lebanon is keen to cooperate and reach an agreement as soon as possible with the Fund”.

Dr. Mohieldin: It is possible to carry out negotiations between Lebanon and the IMF, with a new government with full powers".

President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, received the representative of the Arab Group at the International Monetary Fund and its Executive Director, Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, today at Baabda Palace.

Dr. Mohieldin was accompanied by his two advisors, Maya Choueiri and Mira Marei.

The President assured Dr. Mohieldin that "Lebanon is keen on cooperating with the Fund and reaching an agreement with it as soon as possible on the basis of updating and developing the financial, monetary and banking recovery plan, implementing an integrated program for social protection and health care, and approving anti-corruption laws".

During the meeting, the road map that will be developed for Lebanon's interaction with the International Monetary Fund in the next stage, and the need to expedite the delivery of the Fund's team all the necessary financial data to prepare the file in preparation for the necessary negotiations were tackled.

President Aoun also thanked Dr. Mohieldin for the interest shown by the IMF towards Lebanon, stressing work to accomplish what is required from the concerned Lebanese authorities to speed up the negotiation process.

After the meeting, Dr. Mohieldin stated that he addressed the existing cooperation between the Lebanese state and the International Monetary Fund, especially on issues related to public administration, reforms, the banking sector, and issues related to governance, transparency, and structural reforms in the Lebanese economy.

In addition, Mohieldin pointed out that with the existence of a new government with full powers, it will be possible to complete negotiations between Lebanon and the Fund, and with ministers in the government, concerned with cooperating with the Central Bank, to convey the full picture to the Fund's experts to move the negotiation path forward, which aims to advance the Lebanese economy and restore confidence in it.