Head of the Marada Movement Sleiman Franjieh on Thursday denied reports claiming he demanded specific ministerial portfolios in a new cabinet, playing a role in delaying the formation process.

“Everything published in media reports attributing demands for ministerial portfolios to the Marada movement are baseless,” said Franjieh in a tweet.

Lebanon was reportedly advised by international and UN parties to “take over the reins” and form a new government urgently needed to accompany the historic sea border demarcation talks between Lebanon and Israel, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Thursday.

Protesters on Wednesday gathered in Ashrafieh’s Sassine Square before marching to the nearby house of Judge Fadi Sawan, the lead judicial investigator into the catastrophic blast at Beirut port.

A deserted two-story building collapsed Wednesday in Beirut’s Medawar area due to heavy rains, the National News Agency reported.

The Banque du Liban -- Lebanon’s central bank -- announced Wednesday that it is up to the Lebanese state to lift secrecy off its bank accounts, after BDL was accused of failing to hand over all requested documents to global auditing firm Alvarez and Marsal.

Managing Director at Alvarez and Marsal, James Daniell, will reportedly hold a meeting with President Michel Aoun after holding talks with caretaker Finance Minister Ghazi Wazni over the company’s “halted” forensic audit into the central bank accounts, LBCI TV station reported on Wednesday.

Director of Medical Care at the Health Ministry, Dr. Joseph el-Helou voiced alarm on Wednesday saying Lebanese hospitals could be compelled to choose between saving the young or elderly in light of their diminishing capabilities to face COVID-19, MTV station reported on Wednesday.

Facing a relentless surge in cases of coronavirus infections, Lebanese authorities are divided over lengthening a total lockdown widely rejected by economic bodies amid a crunching economic and financial crisis.

The Free Patriotic Movement-led Strong Lebanon parliamentary bloc on Tuesday said that it is determined to “continue dealing positively” with the cabinet formation process, while stressing that it will not renounce “representation rights and principles.”

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat on Tuesday lashed out at some political parties and advised PM-designate Saad Hariri to beware of their “plot.”

“Those who did not name Saad Hariri, except for the Lebanese Forces, are today splitting seats and preparing to fully seize authority, with all of its security and judicial branches, in an elimination, isolation and revenge plot,” Jumblat warned in a tweet.