IMF urges Lebanon to break reform ‘impasse’ after port disaster

BEIRUT (AFP) - The International Monetary Fund urged Lebanese officials yesterday to break an “impasse” and move ahead with reforms after a massive Beirut blast cost the crisis-hit country billions in damages.

“It is essential to overcome the impasse in the discussions on critical reforms,” said the world body, which has been in talks with the Lebanese government since May over the country’s financial crisis. 

The talks have since hit a wall, with the IMF urging authorities “to put in place a meaningful program to turn around the economy” following Tuesday’s explosion, which it called a “disaster”.