The International Monetary Fund has revealed its readiness to double efforts to help Lebanon in light of its economic crisis.
In this context, IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice pointed out that the IMF is ready to cooperate with the new government, noting that "as soon as it is formed, and Kristalina Georgieva, Director of the Fund, recently expressed the matter, we will be ready to double our efforts to help Lebanon and the Lebanese people to overcome the socio-economic crisis they are facing."
He further explained that the Fund is still in contact with the Lebanese authorities on some technical issues, pointing out that we have provided technical support in areas that would help to face again some of the challenges following the terrible event in Beirut Port.
A fire that broke out yesterday in the port of Beirut reminded the Lebanese of the fourth of August, when a huge amount of ammonium nitrate, which was stored in one of the harbor wards, exploded.
Regarding the audit of the accounts of the Banque du Liban announced by the Lebanese Finance Minister Ghazi Wazni, Rice welcomed the announcement, pointing out that this allows an evaluation of the assets and liabilities of this financial institution. He stressed that the audit also allows an evaluation of the impact of financing public operations by the central bank, considering that this matter is important to assess previous losses that are part of the central bank's accounts.
Lebanon had requested in mid-May to conduct negotiations with the International Monetary Fund to obtain financial support, but the course is suspended for the time being.
Source (Asharq Al-Awsat Newspaper, Edited)
