Lebanon 2019 budget deficit much bigger than expected -finance minister

Lebanon's 2019 budget deficit will be much bigger than expected owing to a "very concerning" decrease in state revenues, caretaker finance minister Ali Hassan Khalil said on Wednesday, as the country struggles with a deep financial crisis.

Khalil said Lebanon, which has been swept by protests since Oct. 17, is facing serious difficulties financing the state, in remarks to reporters aired on broadcaster LBCI.