The IMF on Friday concluded the first half of a two-week visit to Lebanon as it negotiates with the Lebanese government to come up with economic reforms to unlock badly needed international aid. IMF Spokesperson Gerry Rice said on Thursday that negotiations with Lebanon are progressing. “We hope that we will be able to achieve this,” Rice said. Lebanon and the IMF have been engaged in on-and-off-again talks since May 2020. The talks are aiming to hammer out reforms that if passed, would give Lebanon access to badly needed financial aid. Lebanon has been experiencing a severe financial crisis –…