Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 13 July 2020 to Question 71019 on Loans: Lebanon, if he will make representations to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the potential misuse of IMF loan packages in Lebanon by Hezbollah.

HMT officials are in discussion with the IMF, through the UK’s delegation at the IMF, on the situation in Lebanon and options for IMF economic support. Any new programme needs to be agreed with a new Government, who will succeed the current caretaker arrangement, to ensure that all commitments can be delivered and implemented. No new programme is able to be proposed at this interim stage, so a formal view on the adequacy of safeguards is not possible.