House Speaker, Nabih Berri, on Monday hosted a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the second presidential residence in Ain al-Tineh. The delegation included Ernesto Ramirez Rigo, head of the IMF mission in Lebanon, and Frederico Lima, the IMF’s resident representative in Lebanon.

Discussions reportedly centered on the ongoing negotiations between Lebanon and the IMF, the financial and economic repercussions of Lebanon’s crises, particularly the presidential vacancy, Israel’s continued aggression, and the Syrian refugee crisis.

Speaker Berri emphasized the need for legislative action on the banking secrecy law and banking sector restructuring.

“Restoring confidence in Lebanon’s banking sector and financial system requires ensuring the full return of deposits to their owners, regardless of the time required,’ Berri added.

In a separate meeting, the House Speaker welcomed Ghana’s Chief of Defense Staff, Major General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, accompanied by senior officers. The meeting, att
ended by MP Ghassan Atallah, Ghana’s Consul in Lebanon Ali Jaafar, and Speaker Berri’s media advisor Ali Hamdan, covered conditions in Lebanon, developments on the southern border, and enhancing Lebanon-Ghana relations.

Additionally, Speaker Berri met with Ali Hejazi, Secretary-General of the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party, and Dr. Said Akra, the party’s assistant secretary-general, with whom he discussed recent political developments.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon