Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil assured that he is ready to submit the 2019 draft state budget to the government, saying that he was waiting for PM Saad Hariri's return to agree on a date to launch discussions.

"This is expected to take place next week," Khalil told Al-Joumhouria newspaper.

Hariri returned to Lebanon on Thursday evening after he had undergone a heart procedure in Paris.

“There can definitely be a reduction of expenses if the political will is made available,” Khalil noted.