IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the organization was closely monitoring the economic impact of the war, especially on oil markets, where prices have fluctuated. The IMF expects economic growth to slow to 2% this year in the Middle East and North Africa, from 5.6% last year, as countries keep interest rates higher and contend with rising oil prices and local challenges. That's below the IMF's forecast for global economic growth of 3% this year but above next year's expected 2.9%. Political Cartoons View All 1207 ImagesWealthy countries in the Persian Gulf and elsewhere will benefit from higher oil prices, while Egypt and Lebanon are still contending with soaring inflation, the IMF said. Egypt secured a $3 billion IMF bailout last year that requires a raft of economic reforms, including a shift to a flexible exchange rate and a higher borrowing costs.

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Persons: Kristalina Georgieva, Jihad Azour, ”, “, Azour, ” Azour, Jordan Organizations: United Arab Emirates, International Monetary Fund, IMF, Central Asia Department Locations: DUBAI, United Arab, Ukraine, Israel, Marrakech, Morocco, East, North Africa, That's, Persian, Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan