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FINANCE MINISTRY

Youssef Khalil denied rumors of his resignation

The sources mentioned in an-Nahar, including Mikati, allegedly discussed accepting Khalil’s resignation due to health reasons.

Youssef Khalil denied rumors of his resignation

Caretaker Finance Minister Youssef Khalil at a press conference at the ministry on October 21, 2022. Credit: Illustration/NNA)

Caretaker Finance Minister Youssef Khalil denied reports of his resignation due to health reasons in a statement issued by his ministry on Tuesday, calling them "erroneous information published by a renowned local newspaper."

"The ministry’s press office reassures all concerned parties that Minister Khalil is carrying out his usual daily activities, is in good health, and has no intention of resigning at this time," the statement read.

An earlier statement released the same day noted that Khalil had participated in an internal meeting to assess the progress of the draft budget for 2025, which he reaffirmed he would present to the Council of Ministers "within the constitutional deadlines" — by the end of August.

"This is the goal I have in mind," Khalil said. He also stated that past health issues are "in the past." At the beginning of the year, Khalil missed parliamentary sessions dedicated to the 2024 budget due to "a surgical procedure." A ministry source mentioned a "muscular issue" that has since been treated.

Contacted by our correspondent Hoda Chedid, the Prime Minister’s office said it had "no knowledge" of nor had it been informed about any of the information reported in the press.

The information denied by the Finance Ministry had been reported Tuesday by the daily an-Nahar, citing "government sources" and mentioning "contacts, including caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati." The sources cited in the newspaper allegedly discussed accepting Khalil’s resignation due to health reasons, claiming he was no longer able to "manage and follow the ministry’s daily affairs."

An-Nahar noted that Khalil, affiliated with the Amal movement, had already wished to resign "a year earlier" but was urged to stay by the head of the party, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. The daily also indicated that discussions had taken place between Mikati and Khalil to choose a successor, "despite several obstacles to this action in the absence of a president," the post having been vacant since Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022. The newspaper mentioned two potential candidates, both members of Amal: Former Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil and former Economy and Trade Minister Yassine Jaber.

Caretaker Finance Minister Youssef Khalil denied reports of his resignation due to health reasons in a statement issued by his ministry on Tuesday, calling them "erroneous information published by a renowned local newspaper.""The ministry’s press office reassures all concerned parties that Minister Khalil is carrying out his usual daily activities, is in good health, and has no intention of...