The Saudi and Nigerian interior ministries have thwarted an attempt by a network linked to Lebanon’s Hizbullah to smuggle 451,807 amphetamine tablets into Saudi Arabia, the Saudi ministry said on Thursday.

The security spokesman of the Saudi interior ministry, Colonel Talal al-Shalhoub, stated that the drug bust followed “proactive security follow-up of the activities of criminal networks that smuggle drugs into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

All the problems obstructing the government formation have been resolved, according to high-level sources in the Free Patriotic Movement.

The sources confirmed to al-Akhbar newspaper, in remarks published Thursday, that “there is no longer justification for delaying the government formation.”

President Michel Aoun has expressed “dismay” over the ongoing delay in the government formation process, while stressing his “determination” to reach a cabinet line-up despite “the obstacles and demands that arise every now and then.”

According to al-Intichar news portal, Aoun also told his visitors that communication between him and PM-designate Najib Miqati has not stopped, “whether directly or through mediators,” noting that he has “offered all the needed facilitations so that the government can be formed.”

Energy ministers from Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon on Wednesday agreed a plan to bring gas and electricity to crisis-hit Lebanon at a meeting in Amman.

Egypt's minister for oil and mines Tarek al-Molla said that his country would "be ready to transfer gas (to Lebanon) as soon as possible" via the transnational Arab Gas Pipeline.

Sources have ruled out the possibility of Prime Minsiter-designate Najib Miqati stepping down in case an agreement isn’t reached.

They told al-Akhbar newspaper, in remarks published Wednesday, that “the French and the Americans don’t want Miqati to step down,” and that “he can’t take this decision on his own.”

President Michel Aoun has awarded the National Order of the Cedar of the Grand Cordon grade to the late Higher Islamic Shiite Council head Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan, who will be laid to rest on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Presidency said Aoun’s move comes in appreciation of Qabalan’s “national, religious, social and humanitarian achievements.”

General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim has succeeded in securing an agreement concerning all the ministerial portfolios, according to MP Assem Araji – a member of al-Mustaqbal bloc.

The general atmosphere is “positive” and the new government is supposed to be formed in the “next few hours,” a Free Patriotic Movement lawmaker said on Monday.

The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Najat Rochdi, has announced a US$6 million allocation from the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) to ensure the continuation of critical health care services affected by the ongoing fuel crisis in the country.

This will complement a $4 million allocation from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) in support of water services as announced last week by the Emergency Relief Coordinator.

Having started on the 15th of August and running until the 26th of September, an extraordinary musical event featuring 37 soloists, seven orchestras and twelve conductors from all over the world is being held in Dubai, UAE. This distinguished project is led by the European Foundation for Support of Culture (EUFSC) with the collaboration of SAMIT Event Group. InClassica 2021 brings classical music to new audiences, and gives this prestigious art form a new platform in today's cultural landscape.

In addition to this outstanding festival, the EUFSC and SAMIT are also bringing to Dubai two hotly anticipated events: the Classic Piano International Competition, which started on the 15th August and finished on the 3rd of September, and the Middle East Classical Music Academy (MECMA). Classic Piano featured the winners of fourteen preliminary competitions from around the world, who competed in Dubai across four rounds in a display of pianistic excellence. The Middle East Classical Music Academy, taking place in parallel with InClassica from 4th to 23rd September, welcomes some of the most esteemed professors and performers from across the globe, for a series of workshops, lectures and open masterclasses for piano, violin, cello, clarinet and flute.