Lebanon's negotiations with the International Monetary Fund are set to start in November, the country's Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib has said.
Mr Bou Habib also said he was “optimistic about reaching an agreement" on the maritime border dispute between Lebanon and Israel, Lebanon's Al Jadeed TV reported.
Economy Minister Amin Salam said on Friday that the new government aimed to make progress towards starting full negotiations for an IMF deal by the end of this year or early 2022.
However, he does not expect the funds to be dispersed before elections in March.
Lebanon is experiencing its worst financial crisis and an IMF deal is widely regarded as the only way for it to secure aid.
Lebanon and Israel are in a dispute over the delineation of their territorial waters and negotiations could lead to Beirut being able to unlock valuable gas reserves.
They have been holding on-and-off talks mediated by the US to try to resolve the issue.
Mr Bou Habib also said the Iranian nuclear negotiations have an effect on Lebanon while talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia “will reflect positively” on the country.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said in Beirut earlier this month that talks between Tehran and Riyadh to reduce tension had gone a “good distance".
Iran and Saudi Arabia, the leading Shiite and Sunni Muslim powers in the Middle East, have been rivals for years and cut diplomatic ties in 2016.
Mr Bou Habib said there was no close relationship with Saudi Arabia at the moment as “improving the relationship is not in our hands”.
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
The five pillars of Islam
