The new Minister of Finance Yassine Jaber receiving the United States Ambassador Lisa Johnson, on Feb. 13, 2025. (Credit: Photo provided by the Finance Ministry)
BEIRUT — U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson met with newly appointed Finance Minister Yassine Jaber on Thursday, a day after he officially took over from his predecessor, Youssef Khalil.
Jaber, a former MP aligned with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri’s Amal Movement, is the first minister in Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s government — formed last Saturday — to receive a visit from the U.S. ambassador. Johnson’s visit was to “congratulate” him, according to a statement circulated in the media.
During their meeting, Jaber outlined the government and ministry's reform agenda, with a "primary" focus on implementing commitments to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The previous administration signed a preliminary agreement with the IMF in April 2022 to join a financial assistance program, but the required reforms have yet to be enacted.
On Wednesday, Jaber vowed to push forward with “the necessary budgetary and structural reforms to restore confidence,” in a message directed at the international community.
The finance minister also met with a delegation from the Kuwait-based Arab Planning Institute, which said it was "ready to provide any necessary assistance to Lebanon, particularly in consulting and training."