Saudi finmin says Riyadh in talks with Lebanon about financial aid

[September 18, 2019]  RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia is in discussions with the Lebanonese government about providing financial support, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan said on Wednesday.

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed al-Jadaan speaks during an interview with Reuters at the Four Seasons hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Hadeel Al Sayegh

"We continue to believe and put our money and commitment in Lebanon, we'll continue to support Lebanon and we are working with its government," Jadaan said in an interview with Reuters.

A Lebanese official source said Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri "has been talking to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at a high level about support".

Lebanon's dollar-denominated government bonds rose on the comments. The 2037 issue <XS1586230309=TE> gained 1.9 cents to 64.88 cents in the dollar, while the 2029 paper <XS1419879769=TE> added 1.8 cents to 64.00 cents in the dollar, according to Tradeweb data.

One of the world's most heavily indebted states, Lebanon is aiming to drive through long-postponed reforms to put the public finances on a sustainable path.

The impetus has grown due to a stagnant economy and a slow down in the inflow of hard currency from Lebanese abroad that has long been a key source of financing for the state and current account deficits.

(Reporting by Marwa Rashad and Davide Barbuscia in Riyadh, Tom Perry in Beirut and Tom Arnold in London; Editing by Angus MacSwan)

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