Najat Rochdi, U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, on Friday held a press conference about the Emergency Response Plan in Lebanon. 

In the press conference, Rochdi informed the media how the humanitarian community working under her leadership, is collectively responding to the most pressing humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable populations affected by the multi-dimensional crisis in Lebanon.

A number of young men blocked the international road at Falougha junction Friday in protest against the arrest of Sheikh Ayman Hani of the Druze sect at the Masnaa border crossing.

Hani had been arrested on his way to Syria for firearms use charges and was handed over to the Military Police in the Lebanese Army in Ablah.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati said Friday that “we have started doing what needs to be done to resolve things,” and called for full cooperation in Cabinet and with parliament.

Miqati said in a statement, after meeting with key figures in Tripoli, that “people are expecting from the government to save them from their suffering.”

Member of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc, MP Hassan Fadlallah, filed Friday a complaint to the judiciary asking it to hold accountable those involved in monopolization, price manipulation and smuggling.

Fadlallah had given a speech in Parliament in which he demanded a financial audit of the accounts of companies importing fuel, medicines, and vital goods. He also demanded an audit of the accounts of distribution companies and big traders.

Prime Minister Bisher al-Khasawneh has announced that his country is having “intensive talks with both Egypt and Syria” in order to arrange the delivery of Egyptian gas to Lebanon.

Al-Khasawneh said that the “results are more than positive.”

Hizbullah on Thursday announced downing an Israeli unmanned drone in south Lebanon.

Greek military transport ship HS Lesvos arrived Thursday in Lebanon carrying aid.

The aid, deliver to the Lebanese Army, consisted of military equipment and spare parts, Covid-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) and tests, foodstuffs, medical equipment and personal care material.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati, Social Affairs Minister Hector Hajjar and Economy Minister Amin Salam on Thursday signed a resolution defining the mechanism and standards of the implementation of the law related to the ration card plan.

The resolution also includes the opening of an additional line of credit to finance the plan.

President Michel Aoun on Thursday met in Baabda with a delegation from Lazard, which is one of the world's leading financial advisory and asset management firms.

“He discussed with them the need to continue their advisory mission for the Lebanese state, as part of preparing for the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund,” the Presidency said.

The head of the finance parliamentary committee, MP Ibrahim Kanaan, on Thursday said that the central bank’s decision to extend the implementation of Decree 151 is an attempt to “anesthetize the depositors.”

“It is unacceptable to continue the game of winning time, seeing as Decree 151 was issued more than a year and a half ago, when the dollar exchange rate was around LBP 7,000. The dollar exchange rate reached LBP 24,000 and depositors continued to withdraw their money at the LBP 3,900 rate, which amounts to an 85% veiled haircut,” Kanaan added.