The U.N. Security Council reaffirmed its strong support for Lebanon's political independence following a report by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who said "crises in the region continue to pose a risk to the stability" of the country.

In a report circulated this week, Guterres pointed to the sudden resignation — later rescinded — of Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri late last year while he was in Saudi Arabia as one crisis. It was widely seen as orchestrated by Hariri's Saudi backers, who complain that the Lebanese government is controlled by the powerful Iran-backed Hizbullah group.

President Michel Aoun chaired the government meeting on Wednesday at Baabda Palace to discuss and decide on 35 items on the agenda, “including some urgent files,” the National News Agency reported.

The meeting was held in the presence of Prime Minister Saad Hariri and government ministers.

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil said on Wednesday that a draft law will be submitted granting Lebanese women married to foreigners the right to pass their nationality to their children, “with the exception of neighboring countries.”

In light of Lebanon's preparations for its long-awaited parliamentary elections, Speaker Nabih Berri said he is “looking forward for high voter turnout,” urging the Lebanese to “practice their national duty” and cast their votes, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday.

“We are looking forward for massive election turnout. It is the national duty of each citizen,” Berri told the daily in an interview.

Saudi Arabia's crown prince received an effusive welcome at the White House Tuesday from U.S. President Donald Trump, who hailed a "great friendship" with the kingdom -- but made no public mention of the sticking points in the burgeoning alliance.

In front of the cameras, it was all back-slapping, handshakes, smiles and warm words between Trump and the heir to the Saudi throne, Mohammed bin Salman, who was seeking to burnish his leadership credentials.

Justice Minister Salim Jreissati on Tuesday dubbed reports accusing President Michel Aoun of interfering in the country's upcoming parliamentary elections as false.

Jreissati described as “dishonest” those who said Aoun was meddling in the polls.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri said Tuesday there is a serious intention on the part of the international community to help Lebanon, pointing out to “projects worth 3-4 billion dollars that can be implemented in partnership between the public and private sectors,” he said.

In a speech he delivered at a Business and Financial Economic Forum, Hariri said: “We are heading to the Cedre Conference in Paris with an integrated vision of stability and growth, and to project our vision for the investment program.”

Lebanon's national carrier, Middle East Airline (MEA) announced that it will be resuming flights to Iraq's Kurdish regional capital Arbil starting April the 3rd, the National News Agency said on Tuesday.

MEA said that four flights per week are scheduled on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, NNA added.

The government is expected to convene on Wednesday in a session described as “fateful”, amid a disposition to put to vote the “highly controversial” file of renting power generating barges, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Tuesday.

In light of Lebanon's dispute with Israel over Block 9 oilfield, Speaker Nabih Berri said his “insistence to adhere” to a gas field to the South of the country is meant to tell Israel that Lebanon's rights will not be wavered, stressing that “Israel is the only enemy.”