The International Monetary Fund acknowledged Thursday its mission in Lebanon had spoken with Hezbollah, among other political parties, about the need for economic reforms in the country, AFP reported.
An IMF spokesperson downplayed reports in The New York Times and the Financial Times saying that the IMF had discussed a possible loan for Lebanon with Hezbollah, which is vying to oust a pro-Western faction dominating the parliament in June legislative elections.
On the latest IMF mission in Lebanon, in February and March, staff "met with the main political parties as part of their outreach activities," the spokesperson said in an email to AFP, on condition of anonymity.
"The objective of these meetings was to explain the role of Fund surveillance and to gather support toward economic reforms," the official said.
In response to a question about the reported loan talks, the spokesperson said: "The IMF has not negotiated with Hezbollah members or sympathizers in Lebanon over a possible loan. By no means were future fund arrangements discussed."
The June 7 legislative election will pit the current US-backed majority in parliament against a Hezbollah-led coalition supported by Syria and Iran.
The current parliamentary session was marked by a war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006, and a political crisis that degenerated into factional clashes in 2008.
Hezbollah, considered a terrorist organization by Washington, stands a good chance of winning the vote along with its allies.
The IMF spokesperson also said that during the mission visit, staff had "met Abed Al Halim Fadlalah, then deputy director of an economic research center that is close to the Hezbollah."
In November, the 185-nation institution awarded 37.6 million dollars in financing to Lebanon, on top of the 76.7 million dollars in post-conflict emergency aid awarded a year and a half earlier.
In April, in its annual evaluation report, the IMF had praised "the remarkable resilience of the Lebanese economy in the face of the global financial crisis."
The IMF spokesperson noted that any new aid would require the approval of the institution's executive board.
The United States, whose IMF share gives it veto power, has repeatedly said that it will have no dealings with Hezbollah.
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