The U.S. Congress reportedly renews pressure on Hizbullah, and a number of Democratic and Republican lawmakers seek to revive conditions on the military assistance to the Lebanese army, the Saudi Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported on Thursday.

The Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives has reportedly approved a bill entitled “Facing Hizbullah in Lebanon” and linking military aid to the Lebanese army with certain conditions, added the daily.

A passenger plane belonging to Middle East Airlines, Lebanon's national carrier, was involved Wednesday in a minor on-ground collision with a Turkish plane.

Lebanon on Wednesday confirmed 182 new coronavirus cases, its highest daily tally since the first case was detected on February 21.

Ex-PM Saad Hariri lashed out Wednesday at Prime Minister Hassan Diab over the latter’s criticism of French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian’s visit to Lebanon.

“I don’t understand where PM Hassan Diab is taking us with this diplomacy towards our friends. How can a premier make a statement against a friendly country described as Lebanon’s tender mother?” Hariri said in a chat with reporters at the Center House.

MPs Ali Ammar and Amin Cherri of Hizbullah’s Loyalty to Resistance bloc and MP Mohammed Khawaja of AMAL Movement’s Development and Liberation bloc on Wednesday announced that the two blocs support the continuation of the controversial Bisri Dam project, describing attempts to block the plan as a “water siege.”

Authorities isolated the Baalbek district town of al-Hillaniyeh on Wednesday after 49 COVID-19 cases were recorded in it, Baalbek-Hermel Governor Bashir Khodr said.

The Tourism Ministry on Wednesday revised a memo ordering the full closure of restaurants, cafes and sweets shops during the general lockdown that the country will observe from July 30 to August 3 and from August 6 to August 10.

General Security head Abbas Ibrahim held talks with Maronite Patriarch Beshara el-Rahi on Wednesday noting that Rahi’s calls to neutralize Lebanon from regional conflicts require national “consensus” among the various Lebanese components.

“Neutrality requires a consensual agreement among the entire Lebanese. God willing this will happen,” said Ibrahim after meeting Rahi in the patriarch's summer residence in al-Dimane.

The spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry Hami Aksoy, denied allegations made by "some Lebanese politicians," that Turkey backs the protests in North Lebanon and that it seeks to increase its influence in that region, the National News Agency reported on Wednesday.

“Allegations brought up by some Lebanese politicians are totally unfounded, that Turkey backs the protests in North Lebanon and that it seeks to increase its influence in the region. These malicious remarks must not be taken seriously,” said Aksoy in a statement replying to the question of a reporter.

Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun said on Order of the Day on Wednesday, that Israel and terrorism are two enemies threatening Lebanon, but assured that any attempt to tamper with civil peace will be confronted.