IMF delegation begins negotiations in Beirut over financial reforms

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation, led by Ernesto Ramirez Rigo, has arrived in Beirut to begin talks with a Lebanese delegation headed by Finance Minister Yassin Jaber. The discussions focus on banking sector reforms and the financial gap law.

A critical component of these negotiations involves reaching an agreement with the Banque du Liban (Central Bank) regarding three primary issues: the mechanism for absorbing financial losses and distributing burdens between the state, the central bank, and commercial banks; the state's financial responsibilities toward the central bank; and the specific amounts and timelines for repaying depositors.

Parallel to these economic talks, the Lebanese government has emphasized national security as a top priority. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has stressed the importance of maintaining stability and avoiding conflict. Recent security measures in Beirut have led to the arrest of approximately 20 individuals involved in theft and robbery, while official data suggests a decrease in certain crime rates, such as pickpocketing and murder, during the first ten months of 2026 compared to the previous year.