A France-organized virtual international meeting for supporting the Lebanese Army was held Thursday with the participation of 20 countries.

The conference was also backed by the United Nations and Italy.

Shops, government offices, businesses and banks shuttered their doors in Lebanon on Thursday, as part of a general strike to protest deteriorating economic conditions and press for a government to deal with worsening crises.

The strike, which was accompanied by several roadblocks set up around Beirut and other cities, was ironically supported by the very political parties blamed for the deadlock over forming a government. This drew criticism from many activists and commentators, who questioned why those who were driving the economic and financial meltdown were themselves on strike.

Army chief General Joseph Aoun is expected to travel to the United States of America and later to the UK in the upcoming days in request for "humanitarian" support for the Lebanese army, the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa newspaper reported on Thursday.

Lebanon sees a nationwide general strike called by the General Labor Union on Thursday, protesting the dire economic and financial conditions and the delayed cabinet formation.

A war of words erupted Wednesday between the Presidency and parliament’s speakership in connection with Speaker Nabih Berri’s initiative to resolve the cabinet formation deadlock.

Free Patriotic Movement leader Jebran Bassil on Wednesday said the Strong Lebanon bloc supports “the quick formation of a government led by PM-designate Saad Hariri.”

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday lashed out at the Presidency, after it accused him of interfering in the cabinet formation process.

LibanPost announced in a statement on Wednesday commitment to a general strike called by the Lebanese Trade Union on Thursday demanding a new government.

The World Bank put high emphasis in a series of reports and statements it made recently on the deteriorating conditions inside Lebanon’s military institution.

European Union member states have agreed to lift coronavirus travel restrictions on travelers from eight countries and territories including the United States, officials and diplomats said Wednesday.