NNA - In a phone call with the World Bank’s Regional Executive Director for the Middle East, Abdulaziz Ibrahim Al-Mulla, Caretaker Economy and Trade Minister Amin Salam thanked the World Bank for its quick response to all communications and initiatives with international institutions, associations, and embassies of Arab, European, and regional countries in wake of the prevailing situation in the country as a result of the widened Israeli aggression and the urgent needs of the Lebanese people in terms of providing relief aid.

During the phone call, Minister Salam stressed: "the importance of keeping the lines of communication open with the World Bank, which is keen on supporting Lebanon, to find quick and practical solutions to the security developments and their serious repercussions on society, the humanitarian situation and the Lebanese economy as a whole."

Minister Salam underlined the "importance of the upcoming annual meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to discuss ways to protect Lebanon from the repercussions of the war on the Lebanese economy and food security."

In turn, the World Bank Director confirmed to Minister Salam "the bank's response to the serious humanitarian situation, the activation of the emergency response plan for the population, and the allocation of $250 million of the aid approved for Lebanon."

===========R.Sh.