Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at the US Treasury Department in Washington, in the presence of Finance Minister Yassine Jaber and Lebanon’s Ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Moawad.

The meeting addressed economic and financial relations between Lebanon and the United States. Salam outlined the progress made by the government on financial and banking reforms, as well as the steps it is taking to address the fallout from the financial crisis and rebuild the banking sector.

The discussions also covered negotiations with the International Monetary Fund and cooperation with the World Bank. Salam called for US support for Lebanon’s efforts to advance on both tracks and secure the necessary backing for its economic reform and recovery program.

The meeting also focused on the government’s efforts to combat the cash-based economy and reduce the use of cash outside the formal financial system, while strengthening transparency and compliance and combating money laundering and terrorist financing. These measures aim to restore confidence in Lebanon’s financial sector and strengthen its integration into the international financial system.