Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Sunday urged the formation of a new government “in agreement between the PM-designate and the President” and according to “the pact of equal and balanced partnership.”

An official of the Hizbullah-linked Resistance Brigades was killed overnight at a wedding in the Jiye area.

The president of the Federation for Tourism Industries Pierre al-Achkar issued a statement on Friday calling on the tourism sector to close on the occasion of the first anniversary of Beirut Port blast.

He announced the “solidarity of the entire tourism sector” with all those affected by the explosion “especially the families of the victims and martyrs.”

President Michel Aoun informed the State Prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat in a meeting in Baabda Friday of his "absolute readiness" to testify in the port explosion case if the investigative judge wishes to hear his testimony.

Aoun also said to Oueidat that “no one is above justice, no matter how high his position might be,” adding that justice is to be fulfilled by “the competent judicial authorities” that can guarantee fairness.

The Army Commander General Joseph Aoun issued Friday an order to the military on the occasion of the seventy-sixth anniversary of the Army Day.

Aoun said that Army Day this year comes a few days before the port explosion first anniversary, and “amid a strong economic and financial crisis and the continuing outbreak of Coronavirus.”

Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati was meeting with President Michel Aoun in Baabda on Thursday afternoon.

The meeting aims to continue the discussions over the line-up of the new government.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Thursday lashed out at parties he said are trying to “exploit the blood” in the port blast case.

“Finger-pointing must not target those who cooperated and will cooperate to the highest level with the judiciary, but rather those who are trying to exploit the blood for objectives that have become exposed,” Berri told a delegation from al-Mustaqbal bloc, which visited several parliamentary blocs on Thursday to discuss ex-PM Saad Hariri’s proposal regarding immunities.

The issue of who will get the interior portfolio in the new government has emerged as the main obstacle in the renewed cabinet formation process, most newspapers reported on Thursday.

“The issue is not limited to a single portfolio and the general distribution of portfolios is still being discussed,” informed sources told al-Liwaa newspaper.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz has discussed with his French counterpart Israeli concerns about weapons deliveries to Lebanon among other issues, his ministry said.

The meeting between Gantz and the French minister, Florence Parly, was held in Paris.

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil has advised PM-designate Najib Miqati not to be the “fifth victim” of ex-PM Saad Hariri.