LEBANON (Enmaeya News) - December 30, 2025
Lebanon’s Minister of Economy Amer Bisat outlined the government’s approach to the draft financial gap law in remarks published on LinkedIn, as the cabinet moves forward with legislation aimed at addressing the country’s prolonged banking crisis.
In his post, the minister stated that the cabinet’s decision comes after more than six years of political paralysis and financial instability.
He described the draft law as a realistic step within the current context, stating that continued delays would further exacerbate economic and financial losses.
He also noted that the crisis requires difficult policy choices rather than ideal or immediate solutions.
The minister said the draft law should be assessed in comparison with the existing situation. According to his remarks, small depositors would be able to access faster and larger withdrawals. In contrast, larger depositors would be offered a Banque du Liban (BDL)-backed mechanism for full repayment over time.
He added that the proposed framework aims to move banks out of prolonged inactivity and support a gradual transition away from a cash-based economy, which has contributed to Lebanon’s placement on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.
He also highlighted accountability measures included in the draft, stating that BDL and commercial banks would undergo international-standard audits and Asset Quality Reviews.
These reviews would examine past financial operations, including financial engineering practices, profits, and capital outflows. He stressed that these measures would not replace or limit ongoing legal or criminal proceedings.
According to the minister, the draft law follows international standards by requiring bank capital to absorb initial losses while treating depositors as senior claimants.
He said approximately 85% of depositors would be fully repaid within four years or less, with all depositors receiving their first $100,000 within that timeframe. Larger deposits, he added, would be repaid through asset-backed securities linked to BDL assets.
The minister concluded that the draft law is intended as a foundation for broader financial recovery efforts rather than a final resolution to Lebanon’s economic crisis.
