The government intends to finalize the draft state budget on Friday and Banque du Liban is very responsive regarding the slashing of salaries, Information Minister Jamal al-Jarrah said.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Wednesday postponed an upcoming visit to Africa due to the "critical health situation" of ex-patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, Bkirki said.

Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday said the 2019 state budget is a "golden chance" to overcome all the difficult circumstances in the country.

Information Minister Jamal Jarrah dismissed health concerns on Wednesday over the controversial high-voltage power lines to be installed above the North Metn town of Mansourieh stressing that the electricity plan will be implemented and the lines will be installed.

MP Yassine Jaber on Wednesday said the government must introduce “genuine structural reforms in various sectors” as part of planned austerity measures instead of cutting salaries of employees of the public sector.

After scuffles with security forces a day earlier, residents of the North Metn town of Mansourieh resumed their protests on Wednesday rejecting a government plan to install high-voltage power lines in their area.

President Michel Aoun warned Tuesday over the economic harm caused by labor strikes, as he reassured that the incomes of lower and middle class citizens will not be touched.

The Cabinet continued its discussion of the 2019 draft state budget on Tuesday, announcing that it intends to ask Bank du Liban and the armed forces for "financial data and numbers."

Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc on Tuesday slammed what it called a "suspicious campaign" against Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh and the banking sector.

Director General for Political Affairs at the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office Richard Moore visited Lebanon Tuesday and met with senior Lebanese politicians and officials.