MP Sethrida Geagea of the Lebanese Forces has saluted Health Minister Hamad Hasan, who is close to Hizbullah, over his visit to Bsharri and other northern regions.

“His political affiliation did not prevent him from playing his role in the best way possible and to work for all Lebanese equally,” Geagea said in an interview with al-Joumhouria newspaper.

A coronavirus case has been confirmed among the Lebanese expats who were evacuated from Doha yesterday, the Health Ministry said on Friday.

“The infected person will be transferred to hospital while strict quarantine measures will be taken as to those who tested negative,” the Ministry said in a statement.

The Free Patriotic Movement-led Strong Lebanon parliamentary bloc on Thursday submitted five draft laws aimed at addressing the economic repercussions of the coronavirus crisis.

Bloc secretary MP Ibrahim Kanaan will hold a press conference early next week to explain them.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Thursday reassured that “over 90% of bank deposits will not be touched in any financial measures that will be taken.”

As for when depositors can withdraw their money, Diab said Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh should be asked this question.

The government on Thursday extended the so-called state of general mobilization by another two weeks in a bid to further contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

“The government has so far succeeded in its efforts to limit the coronavirus pandemic and all ministers have performed their duties,” Prime Minister Hassan Diab told a Cabinet session in Baabda.

The United Nations issued a statement on Thursday on its response to the novel COVID-19 outbreak in Lebanon.

As Lebanon prepares to welcome a new batch of expats returning to Lebanon, the Health Ministry said seven new cases of coronavirus were detected on Thursday without any new deaths.

The Higher Defense Council convened at Baabda Presidential Palace on Thursday and recommended an extension of Lebanon’s lockdown over coronavirus until April 26.

A man tried to set himself alight near one of the banks in the southern town of Jdeidet Marjayoun when the bank refused to let him withdraw money from his savings, media reports said on Thursday.

The man doused himself and the bank’s gate in fuel before the security forces intervened and tried to negotiate with him.

Speaker Nabih Berri urged the Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh to reassure people that their deposits will not be touched, after the bank’s circular about small depositors, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Thursday.