Daijiworld Media Network - Beirut
Beirut, Mar 12: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Lebanon to adopt a unified financial reform strategy to accelerate economic recovery and rebuild investor confidence. The call came during a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and IMF mission chief Ernesto Ramirez Rigo at Baabda Palace in Beirut.
Rigo emphasized the importance of a coordinated recovery plan developed in collaboration with Lebanese institutions and the IMF. According to a statement from the Lebanese presidency, he stressed that such a strategy would expedite Lebanon’s exit from its ongoing financial crisis.
President Aoun expressed gratitude for the IMF’s support and reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to implementing necessary reforms, describing them as a national priority rather than just an international obligation.
In April 2022, the IMF and Lebanon reached a staff-level agreement for a 46-month financing program worth $3 billion. However, the final approval of the loan remains contingent on the country’s implementation of a series of financial and structural reforms.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem reiterated the group's stance on Israel’s presence in southern Lebanon. Speaking in a televised interview with al-Manar TV, Qassem stated that Hezbollah ceased operations during the ceasefire but remained fully prepared militarily. He accused Israel of violating the agreement multiple times over the past 60 days, insisting that Israeli forces must withdraw beyond the Litani River, as stipulated in prior agreements.
On internal affairs, Qassem affirmed Hezbollah’s commitment to Lebanon’s stability, acknowledging the role of security forces in maintaining order. However, he maintained that Hezbollah’s armed presence remains crucial for national defense. “Israel poses an existential threat, and resistance is Lebanon’s right,” he declared.
As Lebanon grapples with its financial and geopolitical challenges, both international and domestic pressures continue to shape its path toward stability and reform.