Two suicides in Lebanon on Friday, apparently linked to the country's deepening economic downturn, have sparked a new wave of criticism over the government's mishandling of the crisis.

A 61-year-old man committed suicide in the morning on Beirut's Hamra Street, reportedly leaving a death note denouncing "hunger" in condemnation of the dire economic and financial situations in the country.

Finance Minister Ghazi Wazni announced Friday that Lebanon’s negotiations with the International Monetary Fund are “still ongoing.”

“The Fund has asked the negotiating Lebanese delegation to unify its numbers and speed up the execution of the needed reforms,” Wazni’s press office said in a statement.

Association of Banks chief Salim Sfeir on Thursday announced that dollar transactions will soon be carried out “through banks” and not through money exchange shops or the black market.

Lebanese leaders must take tough decisions and the U.S. will work with France and others for a better future for Lebanon, U.S. State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said on Thursday.

UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Stefano Del Col on Thursday chaired a second special Tripartite meeting since the COVID-19 outbreak with senior officers from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the Israeli army at a U.N. position in Ras al-Naqoura, UNIFIL said.

Discussions focused on the situation along the Blue Line, air and ground violations as well as other issues within the scope of UNIFIL’s mandate under U.N. Security Council resolution 1701, UNIFIL said in a statement.

Al-Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri on Thursday announced that he has his conditions to return as premier, while noting that he is “not negotiating with anyone” over such a move.

Intensive contacts are underway with the aim of pushing some ministers to tender their resignations ahead of the resignation of the entire government, media reports said.

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat on Thursday said it seems that “the government and its guardian angels have lost all connection to the tragic reality and the ongoing collapse.”

Arab Tawhid Party leader ex-minister Wiam Wahhab on Thursday called on Prime Minister Hassan Diab to resign before being “ousted.”

Deputy Speaker Elie Ferzli held talks Thursday at the Center House with al-Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri.