Lebanon inflation slowed for the first time in four months as price growth for food and clothing eased.

The inflation rate fell to 4.3 percent in November compared with 4.9 percent the previous month. Consumer prices increased 0.4 percentage points on the month, compared with 1.8 percent in October, according to figures released today by the Central Administration of Statistics.

The prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased an annual 6.7 percent, compared with 7.7 percent in October, while clothing and footwear price growth eased to 19.2 percent from 34.2 percent, the data showed.

The International Monetary Fund and the Central Bank forecast growth of 8 percent in 2010, from 9 percent last year.