We are ready to “redouble our efforts” to help Lebanon

The International Monetary Fund expressed its willingness to “redouble its efforts” to help Lebanon in light of its economic crisis, while on Thursday a new fire broke out in the port of the capital, Beirut.

“We are ready to cooperate with the new government,” UNFPA spokesman Jerry Rice said during a news conference.

He added: “As soon as it is formed, and Cristalina Georgieva (the fund manager) has recently raised the matter, we will be ready to redouble our efforts to help Lebanon and the Lebanese people overcome the social and economic crisis they face.”

He indicated that the Fund is currently in contact with the Lebanese authorities on some technical issues.

He continued: “We have provided technical support in areas that would help address some of the challenges after the terrible event at the port again.”

A fire in the port of Beirut on Thursday was reminiscent of the Lebanese on August 4, when a huge amount of ammonium nitrate exploded, which was stored in one of the port pavilions.

Regarding the audit of the accounts of the Banque du Liban, which Lebanese Finance Minister Ghazi Wazni announced on Wednesday, Jerry Rice welcomed the announcement, noting that this allows an assessment of the assets and liabilities of this financial institution .

He said that “the audit also allows an evaluation of the impact of the financing of public operations by the central bank.” “It is an important part of the evaluation of previous losses, which are part of the central bank accounts,” he concluded.

Lebanon had requested in mid-May to hold negotiations with the International Monetary Fund to obtain financial support, but the path stalled.