VOL. XLI

No. 50

14-December-1998

LEBANON

New Lebanese GovernmentFaces Twin Challenges Of Budget Deficit And Public Debt

The Lebanese budget deficit and rising public debt have emerged as thetwo main problems that will have to be addressed by the new Lebanese Government of PrimeMinister Salim al-Hoss, which was formed on 4 December under the new administration ofPresident Emile Lahoud. Shortly after his appointment, Dr. Hoss said that he would adopt"an extremely austere budget" and noted that the...