After IMF visit, Jaber reviews situation with French, American officials

Before heading to the Grand Serail to discuss the difficult issue of partially increasing civil servants' salaries, Finance Minister Yassin Jaber met Monday with French and American officials, just days after a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) visited Beirut to monitor the reforms needed to restore public finances and join an aid program.

Jaber first met with the French president's special envoy, Jacques de Lajugie. "The meeting focused on developments in the cooperation process with the IMF, particularly regarding the requirements for the transition phase between the preliminary agreement [SLA] and a final program," the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

The parties called for rapid adoption of the draft law on the "financial gap" (the law on financial stabilization and deposit repayment – FSDR), "considered the decisive step to transform technical consultations into a real financing agreement."

Lajugie then went to the Grand Serail to discuss these issues with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, but no substantial decisions were made.

For several months, Paris has been working to remove obstacles to supporting Lebanon by promoting the adoption of this legislative framework, which is essential to reopening credible negotiations with the IMF.

Jaber then received an American delegation, including Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin and the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa.

A statement issued at the end of the meeting said discussions focused on the "general situation," without further details.

Washington, which holds more than 17 percent of the votes on the IMF board, is also closely monitoring the progress of talks between Lebanon and the IMF.

The delegation concluded its five-day visit with a stop at the U.S. Embassy in Awkar, where Ambassador Michel Issa stressed the need for "comprehensive financial restructuring and a foundation of peace and security."

To qualify for an aid program, Lebanon must reach a new preliminary agreement with the IMF, since the one signed in April 2022 under the Mikati government is now void.