Despite concerns that the U.S. sanctions against Iran and Hizbullah could affect Lebanon’s economy, the former Lebanese Ambassador to the United States Riad Tabbara assured that Washington is keen on “distancing Lebanon’s economy and banking sector” from measures it takes in that regard, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Saturday.

In an interview to the daily, Tabbara said: “What matters to Lebanon is the sanctions on Hizbullah and its financiers, and perhaps also on those who support it politically, which of course constitutes an economic threat to Lebanon.

President Michel Aoun on Friday said that the international community must respect the Lebanese will to stay distant from the turmoil and developments around it in the region.

Energy Minister Cesar Abi Khalil presented at a press conference on Friday the technical terms of conditions for the project of importing liquefied natural gas to Lebanon.

Abi Khalil said the plan to import LNG vessels to Lebanon “has been delayed since 2010, resulting in government losses of around $27 billion due to the “agendas” of some, and previous mistaken decisions.”

Hizbullah described the latest U.S. sanctions against the party’s leadership as “worthless,” saying they will have no impact on the upcoming political entitlements in Lebanon including the election of a parliament speaker and the government formation, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Friday.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi sounded the alarm over a looming education crisis following the wage increase of Lebanon's private school teachers, as he called for devising plans that make Lebanese youth dismiss thoughts of emigration, the National News Agency reported on Thursday.

Central Bank (BDL) Governor Riad Salameh said on Thursday that staging the parliamentary elections has had a positive impact in the international and domestic financial circles.

“The reactions were good. Holding the elections has had a positive effect in financial circles,” Salameh told President Michel Aoun during their meeting at Baabda Palace.

A new leaf in relations has been turned over between the Lebanese Forces and al-Mustaqbal Movement following the Geagea-Hariri meeting at the latter’s residence early this week, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Thursday.

The Council of Ministers on Wednesday approved some agenda items related to power generation as it decided to hold its last session Monday ahead of turning into a caretaker cabinet with the expiry of the term of the incumbent parliament.

It approved several items during its session at the Baabda Palace, including granting a license for the establishment of the Saint Georges University in Beirut, an item on generating electricity from wind turbines, and two items on seaside properties in Zouk and Chouf.

In the wake of Lebanon’s legislative elections that surprisingly created electoral alliances between conflicting political parties, various factions have reportedly started mending relations with their original allies in preparation for the upcoming stage of electing a Speaker and the formation of a new government.

Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali stated that Syria “has no enemies in Lebanon,” pointing out that the Syrian refugees crisis can only be solved “through coordination between the two governments”, al-Akhbar daily reported on Wednesday.