The heavily indebted Lebanon has stayed at its embassies looking for donors to help cover their operating expenses, as it delays the payment of diplomats’ salaries and is considering closing missions abroad.
A foreign ministry circular on January 25, accessed by Reuters, calls on Lebanese diplomatic missions abroad to seek donations from the Lebanese diaspora and respond to his request within two weeks.
The ministry is considering closing a series of missions “as an emergency economic measure adopted by a large number of states affected by similar economic crises,” according to the circular.
The Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for additional information regarding the document and the financial situation at the embassies.
Two Lebanese diplomatic sources told Reuters that officials on diplomatic missions abroad had not received their salaries for January. According to a source, the employees were informed that they will receive them next week.
Lebanon is in the throes of one of the worst economic crises – as described by the World Bank – in world history. Since 2019, it has used most of its hard currency assets, leading to a shortage of dollars that has resulted in the national currency losing more than 90% of its value.
Foreign Minister Abdullah al-Habib said in December that he had launched a plan to cut embassy spending, including rent, diplomats’ salaries, and travel expenses for celebrations and travel. The money that can be saved can reach $ 18 million with a total budget of $ 95 million.
Source: AMPE
Source: Capital
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