Lebanon's Finance Minister: 'Steps Needed After Long-term Investment Rating Downgraded '

FILE PHOTO: Minister Ali Hassan Khalil speaks during a meeting in Beirut.
FILE PHOTO: Minister Ali Hassan Khalil speaks during a meeting in Beirut.
TT

Lebanon's Finance Minister: 'Steps Needed After Long-term Investment Rating Downgraded '

FILE PHOTO: Minister Ali Hassan Khalil speaks during a meeting in Beirut.
FILE PHOTO: Minister Ali Hassan Khalil speaks during a meeting in Beirut.

Lebanon's Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said a report by Moody's Investors Service that downgraded the country's long-term investment ratings reflects the need for quickly forming a new government and implementing reforms, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Khalil's statement came in a tweet Tuesday after Moody's downgraded the Lebanon's issuer ratings to Caa1 from B3.

The outlook was changed to stable from negative.

Moody's said its decision reflects the heightened risk that the government's response to increased liquidity and financial stability risks will include "a debt rescheduling or other liability management exercise that may constitute a default under Moody's definition," according to AP.

Lebanon's economy has been under pressure with a debt of $85 billion equal to 150 percent of its GDP and little growth.



GASTAT: Inflation Rate in Saudi Arabia Reached 1.9% in December

The Saudi capital Riyadh. Reuters
The Saudi capital Riyadh. Reuters
TT

GASTAT: Inflation Rate in Saudi Arabia Reached 1.9% in December

The Saudi capital Riyadh. Reuters
The Saudi capital Riyadh. Reuters

The annual inflation rate in Saudi Arabia reached 1.9% in December 2024, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

The Kingdom has the lowest inflation rates among the G20 countries.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) reflects changes in prices paid by consumers for a fixed basket of goods and services consisting of 490 items. This basket was selected based on the results of the household expenditure and income survey conducted in 2018. Prices are collected through on-site visits to sales points.

CPI statistics are published monthly.