GEAGEA to Reuters: Lebanon has scant chance of securing IMF Aid

29 May 2020

Lebanon - Lebanon has scant chance of securing badly needed aid from the International Monetary Fund as the government fails to enact reforms demanded by donors to address its financial crisis, Lebanese Forces' leaders, Samir Geagea, told Reuters on Friday.

"Unfortunately, (matters) are going from bad to worse," he said. "It could, in my opinion, reach social unrest, and social violence."

"The situation in Lebanon is not unsalvageable. But from the moment the crisis erupted on October 17, did you see any change in the management of the state?" said Geagea.

"If the behaviour at the top of the state remains the way it is, how can we save the country?"

Geagea said Prime Minister Hassan Diab’s government had not enacted any reforms. With no alternative ways to secure aid, the government launched IMF negotiations in May. But Geagea said the chances of securing support were "very, very scant".

"From the moment this government took office the whole world was waiting for reforms. So far, not one of the required reforms have happened," Geagea said. "Nobody is going to give Lebanon any assistance before the state carries out the required reforms." ----Reuters/Edited by NNA