NNA - During a reception held at the Lebanese Embassy in Washington on the sidelines of Lebanon’s participation in the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, Finance Minister Yassine Jaber reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reform, emphasizing it as a sovereign necessity rather than a response to external pressure.

“We believe in the urgent need for reform,” Jaber stated. “Each of us, within our ministries, is working tirelessly under the guidance of the President and Prime Minister to advance this agenda, not to satisfy the IMF or any external party, but because our people and our future demand it. We want to build a better Lebanon; one our children can return to with hope and opportunity.”

Jaber decried the country’s decades of mismanagement, citing the example of massive public spending that yielded only a few hours of electricity daily.

“Structural reform isn’t just about changing people; it’s about transforming how the state functions,” Jaber said, noting that numerous reform-enabling laws are now in place.

Jaber also highlighted new transparent recruitment efforts in state institutions. “OMSAR received over 650 applications for CDR positions, many from the diaspora. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority announced five vacancies and saw 525 applicants. This signals trust in the process,” the Minister remarked.

“Our agenda is no longer vertical. Every issue is a priority—whether it’s Eurobond negotiations, resolving the banking crisis, or engaging international institutions seriously,” Jaber said, stressing that the delegation’s visit was not merely about securing funds.

“We’re here to rebuild trust with the international community, with our Arab partners, and most importantly, with the Lebanese people. The IMF represents a gateway to that trust, and we are committed to moving forward.”

================R.H.