Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati declared on Friday that the Lebanese government has successfully "halted" the financial collapse and initiated a "meaningful recovery."

Mikati defended the 2024 state budget in parliament, emphasizing the positive financial developments.

He highlighted that Account 36 at the central bank holds over LBP 100,000 billion and $1 billion, including $150 million in fresh dollars and 850 million Lebanese dollars.

Mikati dismissed criticisms of tax increases as populist and baseless, urging lawmakers to focus on electing a president. Regarding the state budget's approval timeframe, he emphasized its role in stabilizing the country, and he mentioned ongoing efforts to unify multiple exchange rates.

Mikati clarified that there are no plans to peg the exchange rate, considering the previous high costs associated with such a decision. While acknowledging the budget's imperfections, Mikati argued that it aligns with Lebanon's current challenging circumstances and denied any surrender of the country's decision-making to specific political groups.