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Qatar News Agency reported that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun received Dahlia Khalifa, the newly appointed Regional Director for the Middle East Department at the World Bank, and her delegation in Beirut. The meeting took place as Khalifa assumed responsibilities encompassing Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq and Iran. Discussions addressed avenues to strengthen cooperation and align with Lebanon’s urgent priorities during the upcoming recovery period. Aoun stressed the need for World Bank and partner support to address current challenges.
Khalifa affirmed the World Bank’s commitment to its partnership with Lebanon and its readiness to respond promptly to pressing needs, according to the QNA report. She highlighted her intention to shift priorities within current programs toward the most affected regions. Aoun pointed to the requirements of more than 600,000 citizens who returned to areas hit by large-scale damage, with many towns and villages suffering near-total destruction.
The discussions come as the World Bank has maintained significant engagement in Lebanon. World Bank figures show total commitments reached 1.8 billion dollars as of October 2025 through 18 active projects spanning energy, water, reconstruction, health, social protection and other sectors. The lender approved 250 million dollars in June 2025 for a project to initiate recovery and reconstruction in conflict-affected areas and followed with 350 million dollars in January 2026 for social protection, economic empowerment and digital transformation.
A World Bank Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment estimated direct physical damages from the 2023-2024 conflict at 6.8 billion dollars, with total reconstruction and recovery needs placed at 11 billion dollars. The assessment calculated additional economic losses at 7.2 billion dollars, contributing to a cumulative real GDP contraction of nearly 40 percent since 2019. Housing and infrastructure in southern Lebanon, Mount Lebanon and the Bekaa were among the sectors sustaining the heaviest impact.
President Aoun’s meeting with the World Bank official forms part of broader diplomatic efforts to secure international assistance. Reuters reported that Aoun held talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on July 21, 2026, covering Israeli troop withdrawal, support for the Lebanese army, reconstruction, economic recovery and investment opportunities. The Lebanese presidency stated that these engagements aim to advance stability and state authority.
Khalifa’s expanded regional role includes coordination across multiple countries facing overlapping challenges. The World Bank has noted that its portfolio seeks to address both immediate humanitarian requirements and longer-term development goals in Lebanon. Continued engagement is expected to influence the design of future support initiatives based on identified national priorities.
