Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The US vetoed a UNSC resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, arguing it does not condemn Hamas nor grant "Israel" the right to “self-defense.”
Israeli occupation forces issue a new bombing threat against civilian buildings in the Southern Lebanese towns of Borj Qalaouiye and Chehabiyeh.
Sources to Al Mayadeen: Extending the snapback mechanism deadline will test how independent Europeans truly are from the US.
Sources to Al Mayadeen: Activating the snapback mechanism will nullify the Cairo Agreement, shut the door on cooperation between the IAEA and Tehran, and bar inspections.
Sources to Al Mayadeen: The diplomatic window remains open, but signs of activating the snapback sanctions mechanism on Iran are increasing.
Sources to Al Mayadeen: Although the Cairo Agreement meets an important part of European demands, they have begun speaking of new conditions in recent communications.
Sources to Al Mayadeen: European countries show no independence in their stance toward Iran during the talks.
Israeli occupation forces issued bombing threats to bomb civilian buildings in Southern Lebanon.
Israeli media: Person behind shooting operation at Allenby Crossing is a Jordanian Army soldier.
Israeli media citing Emergency Services: Both wounded in Allenby shooting operation now dead.

Lebanon's Minister of Economy Hopes for IMF Talks Progress Despite Instability

  • By Al Mayadeen net
  • Source: Reuters
  • 23 Oct 2021 19:27
3 Min Read

The Lebanese Minister of Economy, Amin Salam, says opinions are "much closer" on the distribution of losses as Lebanon looks for over $2 billion in IMF funding.

  • x
  • Lebanon's Central Bank
    Lebanon's Central Bank

According to a Lebanese minister, Lebanon's new administration hopes to begin formal negotiations for an IMF accord by the end of this year or early next. The minister does not expect funds to be dispersed before the upcoming March elections.

In an interview with Reuters, Amin Salam, Lebanon's Minister of Economy,  stated that the country has wasted valuable time dealing with the economic crisis as a result of the cabinet's paralysis over disputes regarding the investigation into the Beirut port explosion.

Lebanon is in the midst of one of the world's worst economic downturns, and an IMF deal is largely regarded by many in the country as one of the few ways available to obtain aid.

Salam stated that data critical to advance on the IMF track, such as Lebanon's assessment of financial sector losses, would be provided to the Fund as soon as next week.

Related News

Lebanese currency hits lowest value ever against US dollar

Lebanese pound value hits record low

No deal is expected before the upcoming March elections

"Opinions are much closer and the picture is much clearer," he said to Reuters, adding that while stating that there was no agreement on how the losses should be allocated yet. He refused to furnish data, claiming that it was up to the finance ministry and the central bank to do so.

The minister did say, however, that he did not anticipate the administration to reach a comprehensive IMF deal before the March 27 parliamentary elections, and that no money would be dispersed before the vote consequently, after which a new cabinet would be established.

Last year, IMF talks broke down because the banks, central bank, and the government in Lebanon couldn't agree with the previous administration on the magnitude of massive losses, estimated at around $90 billion at the time, and how losses should be distributed.

A difficult path ahead 

The Lebanese government was already on a rocky route to preparing for an IMF settlement, which was made more difficult by rising tensions prompted by a political conflict over the investigation of the Beirut port bomb.

Still, the Minister of Economy told Reuters that the government has "high hopes" that it would be able to secure an IMF memorandum of understanding, which will include a financial recovery plan, late this year or early next year, paving the way for negotiations.

According to Salam, Lebanon hopes to get at least $2 billion from the IMF in a deal that will allow it to access other international aid.

  • Lebanon
  • IMF
  • Lebanese crisis
  • Lebanese pound
  • Lebanese government

Most Read

Why is Choose Love using a firm with British and US intelligence connections to run a pro-Palestine musical event? (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Together for Palestine: Troubling questions about the organisers of this huge event

  • Opinion
  • 17 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025
UKLFI’s latest faux pas, like "Israel’s" recent failed attempt at regime change in Iran, is unambiguously indicative of a flailing entity on the verge of extinction. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab el-Hajj)

Zionist lawfare operation facing collapse?

  • Opinion
  • 13 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A Hezbollah supporter who lost his sight in a pager attack carried out by "Israel" on Sept. 17, 2024, covers his eyes with a red headband inscribed with the name "Hussein" during Ashoura, July 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'We Have Recovered': Lebanon marks 1st anniversary of Pager Attack

The Arab neighborhood of El Za'im, on the outskirts of east Occupied Al-Quds in the West Bank, near where Israeli government says housing units will be built as part of the E1 settlement project, Thursday, August 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Palestine

'Israel’s' deliberate policies drive West Bank economy toward collapse

Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Politics

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder resigns over parent company curbing activism

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll
US & Canada

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS