NNA - Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, on Friday confirmed that the Lebanese government was in near-daily communication with the World Bank to secure an initial allocation of $250 million and approve a methodology for reconstruction. The matter is expected to be finalized during World Bank meetings in late April, followed by a donor gathering aimed at raising $1 billion as a first step, leading to a full reconstruction conference. Internally, this process will coincide with revitalizing the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR).
During a meeting with a delegation from the Council of Lebanese Executives in Saudi Arabia, Salam described the government’s appointments mechanism—starting with the call for applications to CDR leadership—as a crucial entry point for reform.
On the deposit issue, Salam stressed, “There will be no deposit write-off. Our goal is to free deposits, and we insist on a fair solution for depositors.”
Salam also emphasized re-engaging with the IMF to relaunch financial reform through key legislative proposals, particularly a new banking secrecy law.
Salam confirmed that municipal elections will be held on time: “The government is ready. Any postponement—even for technical reasons—is a parliamentary decision, not ours.”
Additionally, Salam announced that the State Ministry for Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence will soon become a full-fledged ministry, as part of Lebanon’s transition toward digital governance.
The Prime Minister went on to note the importance of leveraging international expertise and diaspora engagement, beginning with transparent and merit-based appointments, and extending to the appointment of regulatory bodies across sectors.
After the meeting, Council Chairman Rabih Al-Amin stated: “We raised several issues of concern to the diaspora, especially the matter of bank deposits. The Prime Minister assured us that steps will begin next week, and that solving this issue is key to rebuilding public trust and restructuring the banking system.”
He added that the delegation also discussed expatriate voting, with Salam expressing support for allowing Lebanese abroad to vote for all 128 parliamentary seats, rather than being limited to six: “With 1.1 million voters abroad, this current system is unfair.”
Al-Amin also highlighted an initiative by the Council and other diaspora groups to channel Lebanese expertise toward building a digital government. The effort will culminate in a conference under the patronage of the President of the Republic in June, with Prime Minister Salam and relevant ministers in attendance.
============R.H.
