BEIRUT, Feb 24 ― The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will continue meetings with Lebanese authorities today, sources familiar with the process said, extending a visit to provide technical advice that was expected to end yesterday.
The IMF began meetings with Lebanese authorities on February 20 to provide broad technical advice on how to tackle the country's crippling financial and economic crisis. The fund had said its team would stay until February 23.
Lebanon has not requested financial assistance from the IMF as it draws up a rescue plan to tackle a long-brewing financial crisis that spiralled last year as capital inflows slowed and protests erupted against the ruling elite.
The sources familiar with the meetings said talks would continue until the Lebanese government made a decision on issues related to the technical assistance. The results of the meetings were “positive”, they added, without specifying further.
Lebanon is grappling with an acute liquidity crunch that has prompted banks fearing capital flight to impose strict controls. The Lebanese pound has slumped by about 60 per cent on a parallel market, hiking inflation.
Saddled with one of the highest public debt burdens in the world, Beirut must decide quickly what to do about fast-approaching debt payments including a US$1.2 billion (RM5.02 billion) Eurobond maturing on March 9.
Global credit ratings agencies Standard & Poor's (S&P) and Moody's downgraded Lebanon's credit rating deeper into junk territory on Friday, citing anticipated losses to creditors from what they said was a likely debt restructuring. ― Reuters
