Finance minister presses IMF for a recovery programme at Bangkok meetings

Lebanon's Finance Minister Yassine Jaber met IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in Bangkok, on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank annual meetings, according to the Qatar News Agency.

He reaffirmed Lebanon's commitment to economic reforms and macroeconomic stability, and said Beirut is aiming for an IMF-supported programme to underpin recovery, reconstruction and growth.

Jaber described how the conflict in the south has displaced residents, damaged infrastructure and strained public services, and asked the IMF and the World Bank to help mobilise humanitarian, emergency and reconstruction funding.

No agreement on a programme was reported. Lebanese media said the Bangkok sessions also covered financial reforms and new projects; the World Bank projects a 6.4% contraction of the economy in 2026 because of the war.