Jaber reiterates Lebanon’s commitment to reach deal with IMF

Finance Minister Yassin Jaber, reiterated on Monday Lebanon’s commitment to completing all requirements needed to reach a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

Jaber said that while receiving the IMF’s resident representative in Lebanon, Frederico Lima, who introduced the Fund’s new representative in Lebanon, Yahya Saeed, during a courtesy visit. The meeting provided an opportunity to review the course of cooperation between the two sides, the reform steps Lebanon is working to complete, and the ongoing track with the IMF aimed at reaching a final agreement to support economic and financial recovery efforts.

During the meeting, Jaber reiterated "Lebanon’s commitment to completing all required legal and legislative measures in line with the reform program, paving the way to reach an agreement with the Fund that contributes to strengthening financial stability and restoring confidence in the Lebanese economy.”

According to NNA, the IMF delegation "praised the work of the Ministry of Finance and the measures it has taken within the framework of the government’s plan to address the challenges posed by the difficult security conditions in Lebanon."

"This was done through an institutional and coordinated approach with other concerned bodies, enabling the government’s emergency plan to respond to the needs of the current phase while maintaining financial and monetary stability, thereby preserving confidence in the national currency," the statement adds. Despite the recent war between Hezbollah and Israel, which lasted for months, the Lebanese currency remained stable although some economists previously predicted that it would lose at least some if its value as a result of the war.

Discussions also touched on the general situation in Lebanon and the region, with Jaber welcoming the agreement reached between the United States and Iran, expressing hope that “the cease-fire included in the agreement concerning Lebanon will be stable and permanent."

"Consolidating security stability would help accelerate the return of displaced persons to their areas, activate the work of institutions and public administrations, stimulate economic activity, attract investments, and enable Lebanon to benefit from the summer tourism season and the accompanying influx of tourists and Lebanese, Arab, and foreign visitors," Jaber said.

The 2026 war between Hezbollah and Israel halted the slow process initiated by Lebanese authorities concerning the reforms required by the IMF in order to release a financial assistance program to help the country out of the crisis it has faced since 2019.

Earlier this month, the Finance Ministry acknowledged shortcomings highlighted in a recent IMF report on governance and corruption. The report, an internal IMF document drafted in October, offers a harsh assessment of the governance failures and institutional dysfunctions that contributed to Lebanon's economic and financial collapse. However, the Ministry also pointed to reforms it says have been implemented to improve transparency, accountability and public finances.