Lebanon: Seeks sponsors to fund its embassies

The over-indebted Lebanon has stayed in embassies to look for donors around the world to help cover their operating expenses, as it delays the payment of diplomats’ salaries and is considering closing missions abroad.

Circular of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dated January 25, to which the Reuterscalls 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 is currently keeping quiet about the issue and has not provided additional information on the document and the financial situation to the embassies.

Two Lebanese diplomatic sources told Reuters that the employees of the diplomatic missions abroad have not received their salaries for the month of January. According to a source, the employees were informed that they will receive them next week.

THE Lebanon is in the vortex 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.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdallah Bou Habib said in December it had launched a plan to cut spending on embassies, including rent allowances, diplomat salaries and expenses for festive events and travel. The money that can be saved can reach $ 18 million with a total budget of $ 95 million.