One of the two main buildings of the IMF headquarters in Washington, on April 23, 2025. (Credit: Philippe Hage Boutros / L’Orient-Le Jour)
BEIRUT— Finance Minister Yassine Jaber traveled this weekend to Washington with the Lebanese delegation ahead of the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB), which are being held from April 13 to 18 in the U.S. capital.
In addition to Mr. Jaber, the delegation includes Economy Minister Amer Bisat, the presidential palace representative Roula Harati, as well as Finance Minister’s adviser for economic affairs Zeina Kassem.
"The discussions will focus mainly on recent developments related to Israeli aggressions, including their impact on the Lebanese economy, the financial cost due to significant destruction, as well as the displacement of about one million citizens. The delegation will also meet with several officials from donor institutions to examine ways to provide support and aid to address the consequences of the destruction and losses, and to contribute to reconstruction as well as humanitarian, social and health support," the minister said in a statement released Saturday.
The delegation will also continue ongoing discussions with the International Monetary Fund regarding reforms currently being implemented by Lebanese governmental and constitutional institutions in order to reach an agreement with the IMF. The aim is for Lebanon to be ready, as soon as the war ends, to receive aid from parties that have expressed their willingness to provide financial support to the country after an agreement with the IMF, the ministry also wrote.
Since the resumption of war between Hezbollah and Israel on March 2, Lebanon’s prospects of securing a new preliminary agreement with the IMF for an assistance program have become almost nonexistent.
