beirut lebanon parliament thursday approve first state budget 12 years vital step towards reform fragile economy prevent rise debt spin control successive governments fail pass annual budget due string political crises since 2005 assassination former prime minister rafik al-hariri pass budget fundamental step state path reinstate order public finance minister finance ali hassan khalil say vote pass budget priority government rafik son saad al-hariri take office january hariri describe 2017 budget historic achievement say government would strive return country financial political health main obstacle pass 2017 previous budget demand politicians audit extra-budgetary spend previous years carry wednesday parliament approve law allow budget pass audit complete give minister finance year carry budget pass three days discussion 61 vote four eight members parliament abstain lebanon economic growth batter years paralysis government decision-making six years war neighbor syria growth slow percent year average percent syrian war lebanon debt also rise strongly since war begin 2011. moody say debt-to-gross domestic product ratio indicate country ability pay back debt world third high reach almost 140 percent 2018. economists say budget vital reform public finance need do improve growth investor confidence country reform heavily subsidize electricity sector boost tax collection upgrade crumble infrastructure government begin work 2018 budget next week hariri khalil say khalil say include vision develop country economically socially well financial reform measure reduce deficit increase growth lebanon 's parliament approve country 's first budget since 2005