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Kanaan says waiting until after the elections to finalize agreement with IMF a ‘huge mistake’

NNA – MP Ibrahim Kanaan considered today that waiting till after the parliamentary elections to complete the agreement with the International Monetary Fund is a significantly wrong move. "We have heard many warnings in this regard, because our losses are increasing daily by hundreds of thousands of dollars, in addition to the disintegration of the state," he said.

Kanaan’s words came in an interview this morning with “Voice of All Lebanon" Radio Channel.

Referring to the draft budget for the year 2022, Kanaan indicated that it has not yet been forwarded to Parliament, noting that "the general budget is devoid of any economic reform perspective and does not include a vision for economic advancement, but mere arithmetic limited to compiling numbers," criticizing "the raising of the customs dollar and the tax dollar in light of a totally tightened economy.”

He explained that "the parliament cannot include a reform vision within the budget, nor a negotiation plan with the International Monetary Fund, since this is one of the government's duties."

Pointing to the forensic audit, he deemed it “necessary to end the chaos of the no-figure state."

Touching on the electoral deadline, Kanaan said that “there are no complete lists for any party so far,” noting that “the nominations will be submitted successively until March 15,” adding that “the Free Patriotic Movement is following-up on its electoral mechanism awaiting the first and second poll referendums whose results will be out in the coming days, including supporters and non-supporters.”

Asked about the position of the Lebanese Foreign Ministry on the Russian-Ukrainian developments, Kanaan considered that "Lebanon is a country that has suffered a lot as a result of wars, crises and occupations, and knows the value of peace, sovereignty and freedom for which it paid a heavy price…Therefore, it is necessary to reconcile between the Charter of the United Nations, of which Lebanon is a member, and the Lebanese interest, which requires the preservation of Lebanon's relations with its friends…The solution to the ongoing conflict must be within the framework of dialogue between Russia and Ukraine in accordance with internationally approved mechanisms.”

He added: "What is required is to focus on addressing our internal problems, giving them priority, holding the parliamentary elections on time, and setting a road map for getting out of the financial collapse and restoring the deposits of the Lebanese, instead of fighting over an external conflict…We sympathize with those affected by it, but it is an international issue that is dealt with according to international laws, and our position has no impact on it."

 

==============R.Sh.

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