The International Monetary Fund predicted, on Friday, that economic activity in Lebanon will witness a significant contraction in 2026, amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the broader security tension in the region harming economic activity, infrastructure, and living conditions. The Fund stated that inflation rates remain in the double digits and the country's current account deficit has increased, largely due to high energy costs, while damage to infrastructure, cases of internal displacement, and the deterioration of living standards have exacerbated economic pressures.