The Israeli army heavily fired flares over Lebanon’s border on Tuesday night after reporting a “security incident.”

Loud sounds from the flares were echoing across south Lebanon.

The Free Patriotic Movement-led Strong Lebanon bloc on Tuesday stressed that the new government’s program should have the top priority in the formation process.

“The bloc considers that the the top priority is for the formation of a reformist, productive and active government that would commit to the reform program whose points have become known to all domestic and foreign parties,” the bloc said in a statement issued after its weekly meeting.

Lebanon on Tuesday announced twelve COVID-19 deaths, the highest daily toll so far for the small country since the first infection was detected on February 21.

In its daily statement, the Health Ministry said 532 virus cases were confirmed over the past 24 hours -- 525 among residents and only seven among people coming from abroad.

Caretaker Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi on Tuesday warned that any private businesses and institutions that defy the coronavirus lockdown would face fines and judicial prosecution.

“The Ministry of Interior and Municipalities warns that it will not be lenient in enforcing the law against the violators,” Fahmi said in a statement, noting that “the issue is related to public safety and the health of all citizens amid the alarming increase in the number of pandemic cases and deaths.”

Judicial investigator into the Beirut port blast Judge Fadi Sawwan on Tuesday interrogated three port employees and issued arrest warrants for them, which raises the number of those held according to judicial warrants to 12 detainees.

The National News Agency identified the three employees as Mustafa Farshoukh, Michel Nahoul and Wajdi Qarqafi.

Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani reiterated solidarity with the Lebanese people and affirmed continued support after the devastating Beirut blast, but noted that Qatar did not vow to deposit any funds at Lebanese banks.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Tuesday that “Hizbullah poses a threat to security in Lebanon,” pointing out that the region is in need of several peace treaties.

Three weeks after a catastrophic explosion ripped through Beirut, killing nearly 200 people and rendering thousands homeless, the change many hoped for is nowhere in sight. Instead, activists said they are back to square one.

President Michel Aoun will likely call this week for binding parliamentary consultations to choose a new premier, amid same old divisions between political parties on the candidate despite the country’s multiple crises necessitating swift action.

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri held talks Monday evening at the Center House with Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat.

“The meeting dealt with the latest political developments and the general situation,” Hariri’s press office said in a terse statement.