Beirut: An International Monetary Fund mission concluded a series of intensive meetings in Lebanon held between September 15 and 18, part of efforts to advance reforms and prepare for a Staff-Level Agreement (SLA). The meetings focused on addressing Lebanon's ongoing financial crisis and were aimed at bridging the financial gap and ensuring depositor recovery.

According to National news agency - Lebanon, the final meeting at the Finance Ministry involved key figures including Finance Minister Yassine Jaber, Economy and Trade Minister Amer Bisat, representatives of the Presidency and government, Central Bank Governor Karim Souaid, and IMF mission chief Ernesto Rigo, along with his technical delegation. The discussions delved into critical issues such as the banking sector and broader economic and fiscal challenges, with particular attention to the financial gap law.

Finance Minister Yassine Jaber emphasized the urgency of resolving the seven-year banking crisis, highlighting that the adoption of the financial gap law is essential to initiate the recovery of depositors' funds and restore the banking sector's role in the economy. Jaber underscored that delays were no longer an option as the nation seeks to stabilize its financial system.

Central Bank Governor Karim Souaid noted that efforts to finalize the financial regularization and deposit recovery law are ongoing, with positive amendments under consideration. Souaid stated that, under Circulars 158 and 166, $8.1 billion would have been returned to depositors by the end of 2026. He emphasized the importance of making realistic and implementable commitments to ensure the success of the recovery plan.