BEIRUT, Jan 17, Reuters -- Lebanon's cabinet will hold its first meeting in three months on January 24, a Lebanese television channel reported on Monday after a gap in which the country's economic crisis has deepened and efforts to revive talks with the IMF have stalled.
Economy Minister Amin Salam said that the budget for 2022 would be on the top of the agenda when ministers gather next week, after two major political groups ended a boycott that had prevented cabinet sessions.
The cabinet, formed in September, had promised to work on resolving a deep economic crisis and reviving talks with the International Monetary Fund. It has not met since October 12.
Hezbollah and Amal, two powerful groups that back several ministers, had boycotted the cabinet in a dispute over the conduct of an investigation into a huge explosion at Beirut port in 2020. They announced the end to the boycott on Saturday.
Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group that has a well-armed militia, and Amal, another Muslim Shi'ite group, have sought the removal of a judge who has been overseeing the blast probe.
Lebanon's economy has been in a crisis since 2019 when it collapsed under a mountain of debt. Its currency has been in a tailspin, plunging to a new low last week, and swathes of the nation have been driven into poverty.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati, whose position is held by a Sunni Muslim in Lebanon's sectarian political system, said his government would try to sign a preliminary agreement for an IMF support programme in February.
An IMF spokeswoman told Reuters that virtual talks would be held with Lebanese authorities in the last week of January.