Finance Minister Yassin Jabber at a meeting with an IMF delegation, Sept. 25, 2025, in Beirut. (Photo: Stephanie Bechara/L’Orient-Le Jour)
"Not signing an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would be suicide," Finance Minister Yassine Jaber told the Finance and Budget Committee on Thursday.Jaber wasn't just reaffirming a principle, as the fallout from persistent disagreements between the IMF and the Lebanese delegation made headlines in recent weeks. He was also marking the end of a journey that had seen him move from the unofficial status of banking sector ally to a staunch advocate of a deal with the IMF, even if it means accepting concessions still not palatable to the banks or Banque du Liban (BDL, central bank). The finance minister thus played a leading role in the government’s adoption of amendments to the banking restructuring law. "We were quite shocked to see Jaber so thoroughly take up the IMF's remarks to change important...
"Not signing an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would be suicide," Finance Minister Yassine Jaber told the Finance and Budget Committee on Thursday.Jaber wasn't just reaffirming a principle, as the fallout from persistent disagreements between the IMF and the Lebanese delegation made headlines in recent weeks. He was also marking the end of a journey that had seen him move from the unofficial status of banking sector ally to a staunch advocate of a deal with the IMF, even if it means accepting concessions still not palatable to the banks or Banque du Liban (BDL, central bank). The finance minister thus played a leading role in the government’s adoption of amendments to the banking restructuring law. "We were quite shocked to see Jaber so thoroughly take up the IMF's remarks to change...
