Lebanon's Mikati says IMF talks a necessity not a choice

Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Monday a resumption of talks with the International Monetary Fund was a necessity to pull the country out of its financial crisis.

Mikati made his remarks after a long parliamentary session, held since noon, to debate his government's policy proposal and give a vote of confidence.

The prime minister also stressed the importance of restructuring the banking sector. (Reporting By Maha El Dahan and Laila Bassam Editing by Chris Reese)