Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh has confirmed that his nomination is on the table in the presidential race, as he voiced optimism over his chances.

“We are monitoring things… and I’m more optimistic than last time,” Franjieh said in an interview on MTV.

A state of anger was on Thursday engulfing the impoverished neighborhood of Bab al-Tabbaneh in Tripoli, after a boat carrying 55 illegal migrants went missing while en route to Italy, al-Jadeed TV reported.

“The residents are urging Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim to intervene to unveil their fate,” al-Jadeed added.

Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati on Thursday stressed to the U.N. General Assembly “the commitment of Lebanon to the implementation of all the stipulations of Resolution 1701 and all international legitimacy resolutions.”

Turning to the issue of sea border demarcation with Israel, Mikati hailed the U.S. mediation in the file and emphasized Lebanon’s “ultimate adherence to its sovereignty, rights and resources in its territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone.”

Representatives from the United States, France, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have met to discuss Lebanon on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.

“Our three countries expressed their continuing support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, and stability. As Lebanon’s Parliament prepares to elect a new President, we stress the importance of timely elections in compliance with the constitution. It is critical to elect a President who can unite the Lebanese people and work with regional and international actors to overcome the current crisis,” ministers from the three countries said in a joint statement.

Former minister Saleh al-Gharib, who is close to Lebanese Democratic Party leader ex-MP Talal Arslan, said Wednesday that no one has discussed with him the issue of being appointed as a minister in the new government.

“I don’t intend to assume any ministerial portfolio at the moment,” Gharib told al-Jadeed TV, dismissing media reports in this regard.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) held on Wednesday a ceremony to commemorate the International Day of Peace at its headquarters in Naqoura, South Lebanon.

The Association of Banks in Lebanon is inclined to extend the closure of banks until Monday, al-Jadeed TV reported on Wednesday.

Quoting unnamed sources, al-Jadeed said the decision to extend the strike “came after days from a meeting that was held with caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi, who advised the Association to extend the strike until a security plan for protecting banks is finalized.”

PM-designate Najib Mikati held a meeting overnight in New York with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in the presence of U.S. energy mediator Amos Hochstein.

Describing the meeting as fruitful, Blinken said he discussed with Mikati the need for Lebanon to hold its presidential election in a timely manner and to implement reforms, vowing that the United States will continue to work with Lebanon in order to achieve peace and prosperity.

Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea on Tuesday held talks in Maarab with Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari, who has launched a series of meetings with Lebanese leaders.

“The focus was on the various aspects of the Lebanese crisis and the current situation, especially that the essence of this crisis’ solution is the presidential election,” Geagea said after the meeting.

Iran has informed the Lebanese delegation in Tehran of its approval of supplying Lebanon’s with 600,000 tons of fuel over a period of five months, al-Manar TV reported.

Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mujtaba Amani meanwhile announced that “good news will be soon declared about what has been agreed on regarding Iranian fuel and cooperation in the field of electricity between the delegation of the Lebanese Energy Ministry and the relevant officials in Iran.”