The General Security Directorate launched an investigation about two weeks ago into embezzlement accusations in the agency, and arrested two officers suspected of being involved in misappropriation of public funds including passport fees and residency visas, media reports said Saturday.

The total sum of public funds embezzled has not been determined yet, according to reports, but estimates say it could total to billions of Lebanese pounds. Investigation is focusing on the gaps that allowed this to happen, added the reports.

Anti-government protesters on Friday encircled the entrances of the ESA Business School in Beirut’s Clemenceau area during the presence of Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh in it.

Representing Hizbullah, MP Ibrahim Moussawi filed a lawsuit on Friday against the Lebanese Forces party and former MP Fares Soaid for holding the party accountable for the deadly August 4 Beirut port explosion.

“We will file lawsuits before the relevant judicial authorities, the judiciary is the competent reference to preserve the dignity of the people,” said Moussawi on his way out of the Judicial Palace where he filed the lawsuit.

Security leaders presented reports during the Higher Defense Council meeting yesterday about assassination threats targeting figures from various political groups, without mentioning any names, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Friday.

The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jan Kubis said Friday that leaders in Lebanon were again reminded that without reforms to gain the trust of Lebanese people and international community there will be no support.

Caretaker Deputy PM and Defense Minister Zeina Akar on Thursday denounced the latest Israeli violations of Lebanon’s airspace.

The Secular Club on Thursday announced that it achieved an “unprecedented victory” in the student elections at the Saint Joseph University (USJ).

President Michel Aoun on Thursday called on the caretaker government to be more active as the Higher Defense Council recommended a three-month extension of the anti-virus general mobilization.

British Minister for the Middle East James Cleverly on Thursday stressed the UK’s support for Lebanon and voiced concern over the delay in forming a new government, during talks with top Lebanese officials.

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon's Pre-Trial Judge, Daniel Fransen, will hold a fourth Status Conference on December 16, 2020 with the aim of reviewing the status of the Ayyash case and ensuring the expeditious preparation for trial, through an exchange between the Prosecution, Defense and Legal Representatives of the Victims, the STL said.

The Ayyash case relates to the three attacks against Lebanese politicians Marwan Hamade, Georges Hawi and Elias Murr on 1 October 2004, 21 June 2005 and 12 July 2005 respectively. The Pre-Trial Judge has confirmed an indictment in this case against the Accused -- Hizbullah operative Salim Jamil Ayyash, who is charged with five counts.