# Lebanon IMF financial crisis negotiations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/lebanon-imf-financial-crisis-negotiations
> Updated: 2026-10-17T07:40:40.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

Lebanon has been working toward a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address its ongoing financial crisis. Finance Minister Yassine Jaber met with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva to discuss a path toward a full program, which would include loans for economic recovery. A key requirement for this program is the passage of a ‘financial gap law’ to distribute losses from the 2019 collapse, estimated by the government at approximately $70 billion.

While the government has passed a banking restructuring law, broader reforms have faced delays. During the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok, Georgieva reported that intensive discussions are ongoing and that there has been “significant progress toward establishing a loan program,” though further work is required to finalize the agreement. The IMF has projected a sharp economic contraction for Lebanon in 2026, citing infrastructure damage and regional security tensions.

## Claims

- The IMF intends to provide both financial and policy support to Iraq. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The IMF has made significant progress toward a loan program for Lebanon. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The IMF projected that Iraq’s economy would contract by 16% in 2026 before growing by 19% in 2027. (single source)
- Iraq aims to reduce oil reliance and strengthen the private sector through its Vision 2050 plan. (single source)
- Iraq has lost approximately $60 billion due to the war on Iran and decreased oil revenues. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-17: IMF pledges firm support for Iraq and reports progress on Lebanon loan

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva pledged firm financial and policy support for Iraq and reported significant progress toward a loan program for Lebanon during annual meetings in Bangkok.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/imf-announces-progress-on-lebanon-loans-and-support-for-iraq

### 2026-09-27: Lebanon seeks new IMF agreement to address financial crisis losses

Lebanon seeks a new staff-level agreement with the IMF, contingent on passing a financial gap law to distribute crisis losses and facilitate a full loan program and banking reforms.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lebanon-pursues-imf-agreement-and-banking-reforms

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Cite as: Lebanon IMF financial crisis negotiations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/lebanon-imf-financial-crisis-negotiations