Lebanese soldiers on Saturday fired rubber bullets and live rounds in the air to disperse hundreds of protesters trying to march to the presidential palace during an anti-government demonstration.

Tension is high in Lebanon following last month's devastating explosion at Beirut's port that killed nearly 200 people, and after another mysterious and huge blaze at the same site Thursday.

Press office of the Presidency issued a statement on Saturday stating that President Michel Aoun did not reject signing a decree exempting customs chief Badri Daher of his duties.

Prime Minister designate Mustafa Adib is keen on forming a government capable of carrying out the numerous tasks ahead away from conflicts between political parties, media reports said on Saturday.

Sources following up on the government formation process said “the initial formation draft will be on the table of Baabda Palace within hours amid constitutional consultation between the presidency and speakership,” Nidaa al-Watan newspaper reported.

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon marked 40 days Saturday since the colossal Beirut port explosion urging “credible” investigation and accountability.

Smoke billowed from the port in Lebanon's capital Friday hours after firefighters said they were able to bring under control a huge fire that terrified the city's residents five weeks after a massive blast killed and wounded thousands of people.

The fire led authorities to order the removal of all dangerous materials from the country's ports and airport to avoid more such incidents that have traumatized the nation of 5 million. Military police have already opened an investigation into the fire.

President Michel Aoun met with Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun and several military officials on Friday for discussions on the situation at the port of Beirut after the deadly mega blast and a huge fire one month after.

During his visit this month, French President Emmanuel Macron gave Lebanon's politicians a road map for policy changes and reform, set deadlines for them to take action and told them he'd be back in December to check on progress.

It was a hands-on approach that angered some in Lebanon and was welcomed by others. And it revived a bitter question in the tiny Mediterranean country: Can Lebanese rule themselves?

Progressive Socialist party leader ex-MP Walid Jumblat said Friday the fire that broke out at Beirut port yesterday sought to “demolish evidence” in the case of the colossal Beirut blast earlier in August.

Prime Minister designate Mustafa Adib said the fire that broke out on Thursday at the Beirut port “can not be justified by anyone” stressing the need for accountability.

A third European Union Humanitarian Air Bridge flight, one of the largest of its kind, is landing in Beirut on Saturday 12 September 2020 at 17h30, the EU Delegation to Lebanon said on Thursday.

Janez Lenarčič, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, will be joining the flight from Munich to Beirut.