Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil declared Thursday that the final numbers of the budget do not satisfy their aspirations, but they call it “the best way possible.”
Speaking during the evening parliament session to continue discussing the state budget, Hassan Khalil said that “it is not true that some blocs or ministers objected to the budget during the cabinet meetings.”
“I will say this clearly, it is us who objected to some items and no party registered a clear objection to the budget, but only reservations were expressed over some articles,” he explained.
“It is true that there is separation between authorities but we are ready to cooperate to reach the best results of a budget that comes during difficult conditions marked by risky financial and economic indicators,” the minister stated.
Also on the budget, Minister Hassan Khalil warned that everyone is listening to what is being said inside and outside the parliament, calling on everyone to be aware of what they say “because every statement and position could have repercussions on the situation and Lebanon’s ranking.”
“The growth rate on which the budget was based is the same one declared by the International Monetary Fund,” he added, revealing that Lebanon imports around $20 billion and exports around $3 billion, while the total debt reached at the end of March LBP 129982 billion.