Baabda: President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun received Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam at Baabda Palace before noon on Friday, with talks focusing on the general situation in the country, particularly in the south, where Israeli attacks on villages and towns are continuing. President Aoun briefed Prime Minister Salam on the outcome of his meetings in Paris on Thursday with French President Emmanuel Macron and Jordan's King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, as well as on the deliberations of the preparatory meeting for the international conference in support of the Lebanese Army and the Internal Security Forces. Aoun also congratulated Salam on the renewed confidence granted to the government by Parliament following the discussion sessions held two days earlier.
According to National news agency - Lebanon, the two leaders discussed the agenda of the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York, which begin next Tuesday, where Salam will head Lebanon's delegation, as well as a meeting to be held in Washington to discuss the situation in Lebanon. Talks also touched on the Cabinet's continued examination of the state budget.
President Aoun also received a delegation from the International Monetary Fund headed by Ernesto Ramirez Rigo, which included the IMF's new representative in Beirut, Yahya Said, and Maya Choueiri. At the outset of the meeting, the delegation congratulated Aoun on the "adoption of the law on reforming and restructuring the banking sector," conveying to him "the greetings of IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and her appreciation for Lebanon's efforts to move forward with financial and economic reforms."
The delegation briefed President Aoun on the talks it held with Lebanese officials during its mission in Beirut. Discussions focused in particular on the restructuring of the banking sector and the draft law on financial regularization and deposit recovery. The IMF delegation presented its observations on a number of elements it considers essential to ensuring a balanced and implementable approach to financial losses, in a manner that would contribute to rebuilding a sound banking sector capable of restoring confidence and resuming its role in financing the economy.
The delegation also presented its preliminary observations on the draft 2027 state budget and the related fiscal policies, within the framework of efforts to strengthen financial and economic sustainability and continue the required reforms. The meeting also addressed the economic situation and reconstruction needs, particularly in the south and other affected areas. The delegation heard President Aoun's vision for the next phase, including the reconstruction of these areas and the reactivation of economic activity there.
Discussions also covered the role that international financial institutions, particularly the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, could play in supporting recovery and reconstruction efforts, in parallel with the continuation of economic and financial reforms and the strengthening of state institutions' capacities. President Aoun stressed "the importance of ensuring that the ongoing discussions with the International Monetary Fund lead to realistic and implementable solutions that take into account the particularities of the Lebanese situation and the current economic and financial circumstances."
He also emphasized "the importance of building on the progress achieved so far and continuing to work in a spirit of cooperation and flexibility to reach an understanding on the remaining issues." Discussions further focused on the need to continue work and coordination during the coming period and to build on the progress achieved with the aim of reaching an integrated reform program that would contribute to restoring financial and economic stability and placing Lebanon on a path toward recovery and growth.
President Aoun also met with Baabda Municipality Head Henry Helou, who briefed him on municipal affairs and the needs of the Baabda area.