Head of Hizbullah’s Executive Council Hashem Safieddine said on Thursday that the party has allocated 3.5 billion Lebanese pounds for a plan “consistent with the government’s policies” to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Through 15 years of civil war and various bouts of violence since, Lebanon's Barbar eatery never closed its doors, serving up sandwiches to customers even if it meant doing so from behind sandbags.

The coronavirus pandemic, however, has managed to do what various wars could not: Close bars, restaurants and entertainment spots across the tiny Mediterranean country. It's an economic gut punch at a time when Lebanon is already mired in the worst financial crisis in its history.

Two guards of the house of Kataeb Party chief MP Sami Gemayel have been infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus, the party said on Wednesday.

Noting that the two guards belong to the Internal Security Forces, Kataeb said one of them contracted the virus from his sister, who is a nurse at the Notre Dame des Secours hospital in Jbeil, before infecting his colleague.

A Lebanese coronavirus patient died on Wednesday as four others recovered, the state-run Rafik Hariri University Hospital announced.

The fatality raises the country’s death toll from the pandemic to six.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Hassan Diab held talks Wednesday in Ain el-Tineh that focused on the issue of repatriating some Lebanese citizens from Europe and Africa over the coronavirus crisis.

In this regard, Berri stressed that “the government must ensure all the requirements of care and protection for Lebanese expats as well as residents in terms of everything related to their health, social and financial security, wherever they may be.”

The Higher Defense Council will convene Thursday at 10:00 am at the Baabda Palace, the National News Agency said.

The meeting will be presided by President Michel Aoun, at his invitation, and attended by Prime Minister Hassan Diab, the permanent members and other officials.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab marked Annunciation Day on Wednesday praying that Lebanon overcomes its crises as the country confronts the coronavirus pandemic.

President Michel Aoun marked Annunciation Day on Wednesday calling on the Lebanese people to stay safe at home and raise prayers so that Lebanon is able to overcome the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“Make the Annunciation Day an occasion for prayer with the aim of consolidating our national unity after it was proven to all that our national unity is our shield in distress and hardship,” said Aoun.

Health Minister Hamad Hasan noted on Wednesday that home quarantine is inevitable in order to stop the spread of coronavirus, adding that the government could consider a lockdown extension.

As Western countries reeling from the coronavirus pandemic awaken to a new reality of economic collapse, overwhelmed hospitals, grounded flights and home confinement, it's tempting to think the end of days is at hand.

But for millions across the Middle East and in conflict zones farther afield, much of this is grimly familiar. The survivors of recent wars, too often dismissed as the pitiable victims of failed states, can offer hard-earned wisdom in times like these.