The political and economic crisis in Lebanon has reached unprecedented levels which “prompted” the United States to issue a statement on the Qabrshmoun incidents, a move likely to be replicated by Europe "paving way for sanctions" on the Free Patriotic Movement, the Kuwaiti al-Qabas daily reported on Friday.

Hizbullah’s Loyalty to Resistance parliamentary bloc on Thursday decried “foreign interferences” in Lebanon’s affairs, a day after the U.S. embassy in Beirut issued a rare statement regarding the Qabrshmoun incident.

“Experiences have proved that the exchange of tirades and bickering among the parties cannot produce a solution or resolve a problem, and that foreign interferences in the domestic affairs are condemned, whatever their source may be, because they do not serve the national interest or care about the country’s welfare,” the bloc said in a statement issued after its weekly meeting.

The Progressive Socialist Party on Thursday voiced support for the statement issued by the U.S. embassy in Beirut regarding the Qabrshmoun incident.

“The statement reflects the West’s concern over what is happening in Lebanon, from the attempt to subdue the judiciary and blatantly interfere in its affairs to the attempt to fabricate a file that does not match the results of the investigations,” the PSP said in a statement reported by LBCI television.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Thursday sounded an upbeat tone regarding the possibility of resolving the row over the deadly Qabrshmoun incident in the coming days.

“The meeting was very positive and the solutions are imminent,” said Hariri after talks with President Michel Aoun at the Baabda Palace.

Military Examining Magistrate Marcel Bassil has decided to stop looking into the lawsuit filed over the al-Basatin incident pending a ruling from the Beirut civilian court of appeals, which is mulling the possibility of recusing Bassil for lack of jurisdiction, the National News Agency reported on Thursday.

“Judge Bassil’s decision comes in line with the text of Article 125 of the civilian trials penal code,” NNA said.

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil on Wednesday launched a vitriolic attack on political rivals, describing them as anti-state “militias.”

“They built their castles with extortion money and the state's money and from selling arms and drugs and yet they're accusing us of corruption,” Bassil said during an FPM ceremony.

MP Hikmat Dib of the Strong Lebanon bloc on Wednesday criticized a statement issued by the U.S. embassy in Beirut regarding the political spat over the Qabrshmoun incident.

“The U.S. embassy’s interference regarding the Qabrshmoun incident is aimed at protecting a certain side,” Dib said in a phone interview with al-Mayadeen television, apparently referring to the Progressive Socialist Party.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday called on political parties bickering over the Qabrshmoun incident to show “awareness and wisdom,” as he issued a warning over the country’s financial situation.

Speaking to lawmakers during the weekly Ain el-Tineh meeting, Berri said he “will not allow anything that might divide the Lebanese or tear up the country.”

British Ambassador to Lebanon Chris Rampling held talks Wednesday with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri after which he called on all Lebanese parties to “focus on improving the economic situation.”

“We discussed political and economic developments of recent weeks, which concerned us both. Lebanon’s stability is a priority for us and I hope that all will now focus on improving the economic situation,” said Rampling after the meeting.

Applications for Chevening Scholarships to study in the UK are open between 5 August and 5 November 2019, with applications to be submitted via www.chevening.org/apply, the British embassy in Lebanon said in a statement on Wednesday.

Chevening Scholarships are awarded to individuals with demonstrable leadership potential who also have strong academic backgrounds. The scholarship offers full financial support for future leaders to study for any eligible master’s degree at any UK university whilst also gaining access to a wide range of exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences.