Al-Mustaqbal Movement officials and supporters have launched vehement verbal attacks on former ally Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, accusing him of betraying ex-PM Saad Hariri and seeking to capitalize on his withdrawal from politics in the upcoming elections.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi said Wednesday he was surprised by ex-Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s decision.

The energy ministers of Lebanon, Jordan and Syria signed Wednesday an agreement in Beirut for supplying Lebanon with Jordanian electricity via Syria.

A power cut at the Ministry of Energy caused a short delay before the agreements of purchase and transit were signed.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Tuesday announced that he “cannot but express” his “personal sympathy” with ex-PM Saad Hariri, after the latter announced his withdrawal from political life.

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil on Tuesday commented on ex-PM Saad Hariri’s decision to withdraw from political life as he slammed Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea as being “obsessed with war.”

A first Cabinet session for discussing the draft state budget was held Tuesday at the Grand Serail under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Najib Miqati, as two ministers voiced reservations over the way the budget was being addressed.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan on Tuesday described ex-PM Saad Hariri's withdrawal from political life as "regrettable" and "painful."

Former Prime Minister Fouad Saniora expressed on Tuesday his support for ex-PM Saad Hariri in a statement on social media.

"I am with you despite your decision and with you in spite of them," Saniora declared, calling Hariri "Brother Saad."

Cabinet convened Tuesday at the Grand Serail to study the draft law of the 2022 state budget, in a second consecutive session.

The session was chaired by Prime Minister Najib Miqati and attended by the ministers except Justice Minister Henry Khouri who is abroad.

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat said Monday that "the country was orphaned today," after former Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced his withdrawal from politics.

"Mukhtara is sad and lonely," he added in a tweet, to which he added photos of the small Chouf town covered in snow.