Miqati Says Lebanon Awaiting IMF Help, Will Implement Its Conditions

Hours after his third government was formed, Prime Minister Najib Miqati hoped for progress in Lebanon’s negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.

“We are implementing its conditions and awaiting its assistance,” Miqati said in an interview with Saudi Arabia’s Asharq TV.

“We will focus on confronting the coronavirus pandemic and will put among our priorities the rebuilding of Beirut port and the addressing of the blast’s consequences,” the premier added.

“We will work on returning Lebanon to the international community and restoring communication with our Arab neighborhood, seeing as we are keen on coordination and cooperation with all Arab countries. We will also ask for support from the Gulf Cooperation Council member states and we cannot but be in a close relation with the Arab countries,” Miqati went on to say.

As for the expected performance of his government, Miqati said: “Those who want to obstruct the government’s work will be expelled from it.”

“Our rescue plan is present and we will work on achieving it. We will communicate with the World Bank regarding aid, and after winning parliament’s confidence we will intensify our foreign contacts,” the PM added.

As for the new finance minister, who has worked at the Central Bank for three decades, Miqati said he is confident that the minister, Youssef Khalil, can achieve the needed change.

“The Central Bank is not alone responsible for our current crisis, as some politicians are trying to suggest in order to deviate the blame from themselves,” the premier said.

He also pledged to halt Lebanon’s current “free fall,” while noting that the reforms might require some time to yield results after 13 months of “political obstruction.”