The French national financial prosecutor's office has opened a preliminary investigation into the actions of Lebanon's central bank governor involving potential money laundering, the prosecutor's office said Monday.

The French move came months after Switzerland started a probe into possible money laundering and embezzlement at Lebanon's central bank, which is now at the center of an unprecedented financial crisis roiling the small Mediterranean country.

Ali Akbar Mohtashamipour, a Shiite cleric who as Iran's ambassador to Syria helped found Hizbullah and lost his right hand to a book bombing reportedly carried out by Israel, died Monday of the coronavirus. He was 74.

A close ally of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Mohtashamipour in the 1970s formed alliances with Muslim militant groups across the Mideast. After the Islamic Revolution, he helped found the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard in Iran and as ambassador to Syria brought the force into the region to help form Hizbullah.

President Michel Aoun discussed with the World Bank Group Vice President for Middle East and North Africa Farid Belhaj the role of the Bank in providing Lebanon with assistance at the current critical phase, the National News Agency reported on Monday.

Head of the Rafk Hariri University Hospital Firass Abiad said on Monday that Lebanon faces a crucial week ahead if the shortage in medical supplies is not resolved.

“Doctors and nurses faced grave dangers as they battled in the frontlines against Covid. Now, they find themselves battling other diseases almost empty handed. That is not acceptable. This week will be crucial. Without a solution to these shortages, many services may stop,” said Abiad on Twitter.

France reportedly aims to hold an aid conference in June aimed at supporting the cash-strapped Lebanese army, Nidaa al-Watan newspaper reported Monday.

Israel said its troops carried out a wide combing operation overnight on the border with Lebanon, Israeli spokesman AvichayAdraee said in a tweet Monday.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara el-Rahi said on Sunday that Lebanese politicians are to blame for Lebanon’s political and social misery, pointing that delayed cabinet efforts could carry intentions to thwart the parliamentary and presidential elections.

“If political officials were humble and loving, they would have abandoned their personal interests and reconciled with politics and the state, and they would not have brought the country to this political and social misery,” said Rahi during the liturgy on the eighth anniversary of Lebanon's dedication to the Immaculate Heart of Mary from Basilica of Harissa.

Amid a sharp fuel shortage and an unprecedented financial crisis, the Lebanese are facing complete darkness after private generator owners announced rationing of electricity supply to an additional five hours per day.

Owners of generators complain that state supply of electricity is dwindling sharply pressuring their generators to function longer hours.

Two individuals were killed during armed clashes in the southern al-Rashidiyeh Palestinian refugee camp in the city of Tyre, the National News Agency reported on Sunday.

NNA said heavy clashes erupted early on Sunday between Palestinian factions in the camp.

France has opened a probe into the personal wealth of Riad Salameh, central bank chief in crisis-hit Lebanon, sources told AFP Sunday.