Latest news with #LebanonEmergencyAssistanceProgram
L'Orient-Le Jour
26-07-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Salam briefs Berri on the outcomes of his visit to France
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Saturday in Ain al-Tineh to discuss the outcome of his recent visit to Paris, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA). 'President Salam briefed Nabih Berri on the results of his official visit to Paris and his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, which reaffirmed France's support for Lebanon across various sectors, as well as its commitment to renewing the mandate of UNIFIL, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, to help preserve stability in the South,' the agency reported. Berri and Salam also discussed 'reformist draft laws submitted by the government to Parliament, notably the bill on judicial independence and the one on restructuring the banking sector.' During Salam's visit to Paris on Thursday — his first since taking office — President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need to continue implementing reforms in order to hold an international conference to support Lebanon and mobilize the necessary aid for reconstruction. He also announced that France would contribute €75 million (approximately $88.16 million) to the Lebanon Emergency Assistance Program (LEAP) set up by the World Bank.
See - Sada Elbalad
01-03-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Lebanon Secures $1 Bln Fund for Reconstruction
Lebanon has taken a major step toward reconstruction with a preliminary $1 billion fund backed by the World Bank. Lebanese Finance Minister Yassin Jaber confirmed the initiative during a meeting with World Bank Vice President Ousmane Dione and Regional Director Jean-Christophe Carret. The government is working to expedite necessary reforms to secure approval from both the Cabinet and Parliament. The fund, known as the Lebanon Emergency Assistance Program (LEAP), will receive $250 million from the World Bank, with additional contributions from international donors and Lebanon's allies. The initiative focuses on key sectors such as public finance management, water, energy, and agriculture. Transparency and accountability remain central to discussions, as the World Bank aims to collaborate closely with Lebanese officials to ensure effective implementation. Meanwhile, Lebanon continues to face economic and security challenges. The Israeli military launched an airstrike on a Hezbollah observation post in southern Lebanon, citing a violation of ceasefire agreements. Additionally, UNICEF reported severe funding shortages due to reduced U.S. aid, forcing the organization to suspend or scale back critical programs. The crisis has left over half of Lebanon's children under two suffering from extreme food poverty, particularly in the Bekaa and Baalbek regions, which have also endured repeated Israeli airstrikes.
