IMF delegation leaves Lebanon, a new cycle of discussions begins

It's official. Lebanon has put in a new request for financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), whose delegation has just wrapped up a four-day visit to the country. This move by Nawaf Salam's government effectively resets the negotiations between Beirut and the IMF.“The team had productive discussions with President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berry, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, the Central Bank of Lebanon," wrote the IMF's Lebanon mission chief, Ernesto Ramirez-Rigo, in a statement published on Thursday at the close of the visit. "The team welcomes the authorities' request for a new IMF-supported program to support their efforts."“The IMF is ready, with the international community, to support the authorities' efforts to face the challenges,” and its teams “will remain in...