The Constitutional Council on Tuesday dismissed the appeals filed against the law that extended the terms of municipalities and local officials.

At a press conference, Council chief Judge Tannous Meshleb said the decision is aimed at “preserving the continuity of the work of public institution,” arguing that “the constitution was created for the sake of the public interest.”

The MPs of the Change, Kataeb, Lebanese Forces and Tajaddod blocs will hold a meeting at 5:30 pm Tuesday and will likely declare their support for Jihad Azour’s presidential nomination, al-Jadeed TV reported.

The Free Patriotic Movement-led Strong Lebanon bloc will meanwhile meet at 3:30 pm and FPM chief Jebran Bassil will try to convince all of its members to endorse Azour, the TV network added.

Caretaker Justice Minister Henri Khoury on Tuesday stressed that he did what’s needed to “preserve the Lebanese state’s rights,” amid a row with caretaker PM Najib Mikati over hiring lawyers to represent the Lebanese state in the case of the Paris-held assets of Central Bank chief Riad Salameh.

Speaking at a press conference, Khoury denied that there is a lack of information surrounding the lawyers.

The brief kidnap of a Saudi man in Lebanon will not affect the “promising” summer tourism season, the head of the Syndicate of Hotel Owners in Lebanon, Pierre Achkar, said.

Congratulating security forces on the “swift liberation” of the Saudi citizen, Achkar said such prompt action “sends a clear and firm message to anyone who dares to temper with security.”

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri will not call for a "folkloric" session that might fail for the 12th time to elect a president.

In remarks published Tuesday in Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Berri said that based on the current circumstances, it is not possible to call for a session "with no real competition".

The Free Patriotic Movement has agreed with the opposition on a presidential candidate, FPM chief Jebran Bassil said, adding that "the political project has not yet been completed."

Bassil told Kuwait's al-Qabas newspaper that is it necessary to reach an agreement with all parties, including Hezbollah.

Lebanese Army intelligence agents liberated Tuesday near the Syrian border a Saudi citizen who had been kidnapped Saturday from Beirut. The man reportedly had been held for ransom.

A statement by the Lebanese military said Mushari al-Mutairi was released in a “special operation” along the Lebanon-Syria border, where the kidnappers held him hostage. Some of the involved in the kidnapping were arrested, the statement said.

UNIFIL has marked the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers and the 75th anniversary of United Nations peacekeeping, alongside members of the Lebanese Armed Forces, security services, political and religious authorities, ambassadors, and U.N. officials.

Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Lázaro emphasized the important role of all of those represented at the event.

Kataeb leader Sami Gemayel accused Hezbollah Monday of having only destructive options for the presidential file.

In response to Hezbollah deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem, Gemayel said that Hezbollah is confused and that its logic is "laughable yet lamentable."

The Free Patriotic Movement, the Kataeb party, and the Lebanese Forces will likely announce their support for ex-minister Jihad Azour within 48 hours, al-Akhbar newspaper said.

The daily reported Monday that Maronite Patriarch has lauded the agreement and urged the three parties to announce their presidential candidate as soon as possible, so that he can discuss it this week in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron.