The Lebanese Presidency on Friday dismissed remarks by Israel’s energy minister about Lebanon’s stance in the negotiations over sea border demarcation.

Fondation Diane, a Lebanese NGO that works in favor of Civic Awareness and Eco-Sustainable Development, and Ecoserv, its leading partner in the Electronic Waste Recycling field, have launched a program in Lebanon that aims to collect and recycle batteries.

Beirut’s devastating port explosion on August 4, 2020 that killed 200 people and flattened large parts of the capital, has reverberated through many parts of the world impacting many including artists, illustrators, directors, and writers who expressed their sorrow for Beirut in their work.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara el-Rahi hit out again at Lebanon’s political leaders holding them responsible for the "destruction" of the State.

Israel has accused Lebanon of changing its position in talks on their disputed maritime border and warned it could lead to a "dead end" that would be damaging for the whole region.

Free Patriotic Movement chief MP Jebran Bassil denied reports on Friday claiming he asked the United States to stop sanctions imposed on him earlier this month.

Bassil’s press office said in a statement the report was “unfounded,” and that Bassil has not yet taken any measure in that regard.

Amid reports that the US is expected to impose a new batch of sanctions against some Lebanese officials, al-Joumhouria daily reported Friday that France was able to help postpone these sanctions.

Western diplomatic sources told the daily that French President Emmanuel Macron was able to persuade US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to postpone sanctions on senior Lebanese politicians, in order to avoid further complications disrupting the efforts to form a Lebanese government, the daily reported.

Army chief Gen. Jospeh Aoun on Friday marked Lebanon’s 77th Independence Day urging troops to “fight off danger and discord.”

Progressive Socialist Party leader, ex-MP Walid Jumblat criticized the caretaker government of PM Hassan Diab, accusing the ministers of giving up on their duties.

“Regardless of political divisions, the government of PM Diab in its caretaker capacity is not entitled constitutionally to abstain from carrying out its duties, until a new government is in place,” said Jumblat in a tweet.

French Army Chief of Staff, General François Lecointre, is expected to make an official visit to Beirut on November 19 and 20, 2020, the French embassy said in a statement Thursday.