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Lebanon Forms Delegation to Negotiate with IMF

The cabinet held a session at the Presidential Palace in Baabda on Wednesday (NNA)
The cabinet held a session at the Presidential Palace in Baabda on Wednesday (NNA)
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Lebanon Forms Delegation to Negotiate with IMF

The cabinet held a session at the Presidential Palace in Baabda on Wednesday (NNA)
The cabinet held a session at the Presidential Palace in Baabda on Wednesday (NNA)

The Lebanese cabinet on Wednesday completed the formation of a committee tasked to negotiate with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to unlock billions in aid as the country suffers from a severe economic and financial crisis.

The government also assigned the Finance Minister to borrow $100 million from the Central Bank to require Electricite du Liban (EDL) to secure an increase in feeding hours.

During the cabinet session held at the Baabda Presidential Palace, President Michel Aoun stressed that the government should work seriously and quickly to implement the ministerial policy statement.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati briefed the cabinet on the results of his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

He said the French President showed remarkable interest in supporting Lebanon, and stressed willingness to help in more than one sector, considering that the real door to salvation is the beginning of negotiations with the IMF.

The cabinet on Wednesday authorized, under Article 52 of the Constitution, the committee to negotiate with the IMF.

The committee is headed by Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh Al-Shami with the membership of Finance Minister Youssef Khalil and Economy Minister Amin Salam, in addition to Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh and two experts representing the President, Charbel Qordahi and Rafik Haddad.

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Saudi Arabia Launches Operations Room to Tackle Financial Fraud

An aerial view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SPA)
An aerial view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Launches Operations Room to Tackle Financial Fraud

An aerial view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SPA)
An aerial view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has approved the creation of a dedicated operations room to receive and process financial fraud reports, in a move seen as a significant step forward in the Kingdom's fight against financial crime.
The initiative aims to strengthen the national security framework, improve response efficiency to financial risks, and boost investor confidence—key factors in enhancing the appeal of the Saudi market to international and domestic stakeholders.
The decision is part of broader efforts by the Kingdom to tackle financial fraud at both national and international levels, aligning with global standards and best practices.
Saudi legal and financial experts say the Kingdom’s decision to establish the operations room marks a transformative shift in the institutional framework for combating financial crime, with a direct executive role expected to accelerate response times and enhance criminal investigation efforts.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, experts said the move will bolster transparency and trust in Saudi Arabia’s financial system, helping to attract both domestic and foreign investment and reinforcing the country’s position as a secure economic hub.
Abdullah Alsahli, a core member of the Saudi Bar Association, described the cabinet's decision as a “pivotal step” in developing the Kingdom’s financial protection system and a practical move toward strengthening financial security and shielding the national economy from cross-sector financial crimes.
“This operations room—expected to be launched soon—will not just serve as another reporting channel, but will function as a high-level executive arm working in coordination with oversight bodies, foremost among them the Saudi Central Bank,” Alsahli said.
He explained that the room’s most notable feature is its direct link to victims of fraud, allowing individuals to report cases without having to go through lengthy banking or institutional procedures. This, he added, will ensure faster response to incidents as they occur.
“The significance of this room lies in its integration with an executive body empowered to conduct investigations and criminal tracking. It allows financial crimes to be addressed not only from a regulatory or administrative standpoint, but also from a judicial and security perspective,” Alsahli noted.
From a legal standpoint, Alsahli said the creation of the operations room represents a qualitative leap in the institutional fight against financial fraud. It introduces a parallel mechanism to the oversight role of the central bank and financial institutions, but with a distinct focus on investigation and prosecution.
“This shift means that fraud reports will no longer be limited to internal financial settlement procedures. Instead, they will be handled directly by competent bodies specialized in investigation, monitoring, and forensic analysis—enhancing deterrence and reducing leniency in fraud case handling,” he said.