The IMF has urged Lebanon to implement a unified financial reform programme to aid economic recovery and restore investor confidence. This plea came from IMF mission leader Ernesto Ramirez Rigo during a meeting with President Joseph Aoun. Lebanon expressed its commitment to necessary reforms as a national priority. The IMF also tied a $3 billion financial aid package to specific reform actions. Concurrently, Hezbollah has reiterated its stance on national defense against Israel.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called on Lebanon to implement a unified financial reform programme aimed at enhancing economic recovery and restoring investor confidence. This statement was made during a meeting between IMF mission leader Ernesto Ramirez Rigo and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Baabda Palace in Beirut.
Rigo emphasized the need for a coordinated approach, developed collaboratively with Lebanese institutions and the IMF, to significantly accelerate the nation’s recovery process. President Aoun expressed gratitude towards the IMF and reiterated Lebanon’s dedication to executing necessary reforms, labeling them a national priority as well as an international requirement.
In April 2022, the IMF reached a staff-level agreement to provide Lebanon with $3 billion through a 46-month financing programme, contingent upon the implementation of several reform measures before finalizing the loan agreement. Additionally, Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem recently stated that the group will not allow Israeli presence in southern Lebanon, asserting Hezbollah’s commitment to the nation’s defense.
In a televised conversation with al-Manar TV, Qassem claimed that while Hezbollah halted operations during the ceasefire, it maintained full military preparedness. He pointed out ongoing Israeli violations and reaffirmed Hezbollah’s stance on national stability, still viewing the group’s armament as essential for confronting perceived threats from Israel. He stated, “Israel poses an existential threat, and resistance is Lebanon’s right.”
In conclusion, the International Monetary Fund’s plea for a unified reform programme in Lebanon highlights the urgency of economic revitalization and investor confidence restoration. With Lebanon committed to necessary reforms and international assistance in place, the path towards recovery appears feasible. Furthermore, Hezbollah’s positions on regional security illustrate the complex dynamics Lebanon faces both economically and politically, underscoring the interplay of internal governance and external threats.
Original Source: www.thehansindia.com
