Considering the magnitude of the challenges the country is facing after more than a decade of war, this assistance should meet imminent humanitarian needs and rebuild vital institutions and infrastructure, the international banking institution’s release stated.

The document added that Damascus cannot take care of huge debts amounting to hundreds of billions of dollars, a direct consequence of a conflict that began in 2011.

During a five-day visit by the IMF in early June, the first to Syria by the 191-country lending organization since 2009, its team met with officials from the public and private sectors, notably the finance minister and central bank governor.

The IMF reiterated that Syria faces enormous challenges following years of conflict that have caused immense human suffering, and reduced its economy to a fraction of its former size.

jrr/iff/oda/fm