Beirut: Finance Minister Yassine Jaber on Tuesday opened meetings with an International Monetary Fund mission that has begun its work in Lebanon, with discussions focusing on fiscal and banking reforms, the financial gap law and the next steps toward addressing the country's financial crisis. The meetings at the Finance Ministry were attended by Economy and Trade Minister Amer Bisat, representatives of the Presidency and Prime Minister's Office, Banque du Liban, IMF Mission Chief for Lebanon Ernesto Ramirez Rigo, IMF Resident Representative Yaya Said, Finance Ministry Director General George Maarrawi and other officials and advisers.

According to National News Agency - Lebanon, a technical preparatory meeting chaired by Jaber preceded the talks, focusing on the medium-term fiscal framework and its integration with the budget, a medium-term revenue strategy, improved tax collection and compliance, and measures to strengthen fiscal planning and sustainability. Discussions also addressed banking-sector reform following the enactment of the Banking Reform and Restructuring Law, as well as the proposed Financial Gap Law, which is currently before Parliament's Finance and Budget Committee.

Speaking after the meetings, Jaber said the IMF welcomed the passage of the banking reform law, describing its enactment as an important message to the international community and Lebanon's partners that the country was pursuing genuine reforms, particularly in the banking sector. He said intensive talks with the IMF delegation would continue through Friday, with the immediate objective of reaching an understanding on the next required step - the Financial Gap Law - while parallel technical meetings would address public finances, the budget, Lebanon's debt obligations and Eurobonds.

Jaber stressed that the government was seeking a mechanism that would protect depositors and allow for the gradual recovery of their funds within the constraints created by the financial crisis. He acknowledged that deposits could not all be repaid immediately, saying programs were being developed in coordination with Parliament and Banque du Liban to reach a workable solution.

The minister also highlighted continued progress in fiscal reforms and digitalization at the Finance Ministry, Customs and land registry departments. Despite difficult conditions, including the Israeli war and wider regional developments, he said Lebanon had maintained fiscal and monetary stability over the past six months, with the Lebanese pound remaining stable and public-sector salaries and government obligations being paid on time.

Jaber also pointed to rising fuel prices as a major challenge because of their impact on electricity, transportation, production costs and inflation, saying the issue would form part of the discussions. He denied reports of disagreements with Banque du Liban or the IMF, describing coordination with the central bank as "excellent" and the atmosphere surrounding the IMF talks as "very positive."

"There is no dead end," Jaber said, stressing that cooperation and coordination with the IMF were continuing. He announced that a press conference would be held at the conclusion of the mission's meetings to present the results, adding that Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, the finance minister and potentially other ministers were expected to visit Washington before the end of the month for high-level meetings with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank President Ajay Banga and other officials to mobilize further support for Lebanon.