The Committee members decided to provide developing countries with a greater role in the World Bank’s administration. “This is a significant reform step,” El Hassan said.

The Committee also agreed to pump additional money into the bank.

El Hassan also met with senior World Bank officials and discussed with them the cooperation schemes between both parts over the next two years. She also enlightened them on the 2010 draft budget, that she has proposed earlier this month, and the fact that it includes a significant rise in investment expenditures.

El Hassan also met with senior US officials, who informed her with the US government decision to extend the deadline for releasing the $75 million, budget support loan pledged at the Paris III conference until January.

This loan represents the last part of the $250 million budget support loan that the US government has pledged to give Lebanon at the Paris III conference.