A team of IMF experts will begin consultations with the Lebanese government in Beirut on Thursday, a source familiar with the matter said, as the heavily indebted state seeks the Fund's help in addressing a major financial crisis. Lebanon formally requested IMF technical assistance last week. The IMF has said Lebanon is seeking advice to help with reforms to restore stability and growth and has not asked for any financial assistance. The source gave no further details on the IMF visit. The financial crisis, worse than any Lebanon endured in its 1975-90 civil war, came to a head last year as slowing capital inflows led to a liquidity crunch and demonstrations erupted against the ruling elite. Banks are imposing controls on access to cash and blocking transfers abroad, the Lebanese pound has slumped, prices are rising and firms are shedding jobs or slashing wages. Lebanon must urgently decide on how to deal with fast-approaching debt payments, including a $1.2 billion Eurobond due on March 9. Lebanon's public debt is equivalent to around 150% of its GDP. Speaking in Dubai on Sunday, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said Lebanon needed urgent and deep structural reforms. The IMF was sending a small technical team to "give a diagnostic recommendation on measures to take" though it was up to Lebanon to take decisions, she said. Even as it seeks IMF technical help, comments attributed to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri last week indicated Lebanon's opposition to a full IMF programme. He said Lebanese would not be able to bear IMF conditions. The World Bank, which was already projecting a small recession in 2019, estimates that it will now be deeper.
