Former premiers Najib Miqati, Fouad Saniora and Tammam Salam on Tuesday distanced themselves from an initiative put forward by ex-PM Saad Hariri to resolve the row over the finance ministerial portfolio, describing the move as a “personal initiative.”

“The Lebanese constitution is very clear: no ministerial portfolio can be an exclusive right to ministers belonging to a certain sect, and also the constitution does not forbid any Lebanese, regardless of their sect, to be in charge of any ministerial portfolio in Lebanon,” the ex-PM said in a statement.

Ex-PM Saad Hariri on Tuesday proposed an initiative aimed at finding a solution to the deadlock over the finance ministerial portfolio.

“I have decided to help PM-designate (Mustafa) Adib find an exit through naming an independent finance minister from the Shiite sect who would be chosen by him, similarly to the rest of ministers, on the basis of competency, integrity and non-partisanship,” Hariri said in a written statement.

A strong explosion shook a Hizbullah stronghold in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, but the cause was not immediately clear.

As TV networks said the blast ripped through a "house belonging to Hizbullah," pro-Hizbullah journalist Salem Zahran said it occurred at a depot for storing "shells from the war era," adding that it caused no casualties.

A fire broke out on Tuesday at the northern port of Tripoli that stepped in after the mega explosion at the country’s major port in Beirut in August, raising eyebrows about frequent similar incidents in the country.

Media reports said the fire broke out in a ship maintenance workshop outside the campus of the Port of Tripoli.

President Michel Aoun called on world leaders on Tuesday to secure the safe return of Syrian refugees in light of Lebanon’s crippling crises.

The Shiite duo, AMAL Movement and Hizbullah, have shown no leniency in relinquishing demands to retain the finance ministerial portfolio and to name their ministers in the upcoming government, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Tuesday.

Elie Hasrouty, who lost his father to the August 4 Beirut port blast, is one of at least 1,228 grieving Lebanese preparing to file a lawsuit against the state.  

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat on Monday voiced criticism in all directions in connection with the ongoing deadlock in the cabinet formation process.

“President Michel Aoun has no right to say that we’re going to hell. I support a settlement and when the storm lashes we must bow,” Jumblat said in an interview with Lebanon’s MTV.

Judicial Investigator Judge Fadi Sawan on Monday heard the testimonies of ex-finance minister Ali Hassan Khalil, General Security intelligence head Munah Sawaya and caretaker PM Hassan Diab’s adviser Khodor Taleb as witnesses in the probe into the catastrophic Aug. 4 explosion at Beirut port.

On Tuesday, Sawan will hear the testimonies of ex-public works minister Ghazi Aridi, Customs Higher Council chief Brig. Gen. Asaad al-Tufaili and Customs Higher Council member Gracia al-Qazzi, also as witnesses, the National News Agency said.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stressed Monday that “no one wants to target Shiites in Lebanon,” in connection with the ongoing row over representation in the new government.

“Some are trying to depict what’s happening in the issue of the formation of the government as being targeted against Shiites, and some have gone to the extent of saying that they will not accept the elimination of an entire sect,” Geagea said in a statement.