Lebanese President Joseph Aoun addressed the Cabinet, emphasizing the importance of restoring internal and external confidence through economic reforms after a meeting with the IMF. He announced the formation of a committee to follow up on IMF recommendations and stressed the need for key legislation and a new BDL governor. Aoun also noted vigilance in regional security and announced the release of five Lebanese prisoners detained by Israel.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun began the recent Cabinet meeting by confirming the signing of the 2025 state budget in the previous session. He urged the Finance Minister to oversee expenditures according to Article 118 of the Public Accounting Law and to provide quarterly reports on government spending.
During the meeting, Aoun reported on his recent engagement with an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation. He announced the creation of a committee led by the Finance Minister, which includes the Economy Minister, the acting Banque du Liban governor, two advisors, and Lamia Moubayed, the Prime Minister’s advisor, to address key IMF recommendations.
Aoun highlighted the IMF’s call for Lebanon to finalize a program with the fund before summer, following previous unsuccessful attempts. He underscored that restoring both internal and external confidence requires essential economic, financial, and banking reforms.
The IMF delegation also stressed the need to appoint a new Banque du Liban governor and to set up a unified data center for the Finance Ministry. They recommended significant legislative action, including amendments to the banking secrecy law and the bank restructuring law.
Focusing on regional security, Aoun assured that security agencies, alongside the defense and interior ministries, are closely monitoring developments in Syria to maintain full preparedness. Furthermore, he announced the release of five Lebanese prisoners detained by Israel during recent conflicts, crediting indirect negotiations for their return.
In conclusion, President Joseph Aoun emphasized the critical need for restoring confidence in Lebanon through reforms highlighted in discussions with the IMF. The need for a new BDL governor, robust legislative amendments, and a unified data center are paramount to ensuring economic stability and growth. A focus on security, especially regarding regional tensions, was also expressed to ensure national preparedness.
Original Source: www.lbcgroup.tv
