The Banking Control Committee on Tuesday requested that local banks provide them with information on the volume of transfers to “Swiss banks,” amid suspicious large transfers of money abroad.

Lebanese activists express resentment at what they say is “fading media coverage” of their movements in the past few weeks, after the outbreak of mass protests on October 17 where TV live coverage largely helped its success and continuity, Asharq al-Awsat daily reported on Tuesday.

Hundreds of angry Lebanese protested across the country on Tuesday in renewed rallies against the ruling elite they say has failed to address the economy's downward spiral.

Protesters blocked several roads and major highways starting ealry with the morning rush hour in the capital Beirut, the northern city of Tripoli, the southern city of Nabatieh and Mount Lebanon, they also denounced a class of political leaders they deem incompetent and corrupt.

Scuffles erupted Monday evening on the Ring highway in central Beirut after security forces tried to reopen the road, which was blocked by anti-government protesters.

Several people were meanwhile injured in scuffles between the army and protesters at Sidon's Elia square.

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumbat held talks Monday in Ain el-Tineh with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

“The country cannot remain in this state of collapse,” Jumblat said after the meeting.

Army Commander General Joseph Aoun on Monday noted that “a day will come when it will be said that the army has rescued Lebanon,” referring to the military’s approach in dealing with the unprecedented protests that have been rocking the country since October 17.

“The army’s approach towards civilians is based on the military institution’s belief in the right to assembly and freedom of expression, but this does not at all stand for leniency with any security violator, unethical actions or road-blocking moves,” Aoun said as he inspected the command of the Sixth Intervention Regiment in Riyaq.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Monday said that Prime Minister-designate Hassan Diab “has imposed on himself conditions which were not required from him, which has made the formation process more difficult for him.”

Calling for the formation of “a government that combats corruption and rescues the country,” Berri added: “I don’t want Hassan Diab to confine me or to confine himself. If he doesn’t want to support me I will still support him.”

The Lebanon Renaissance Foundation has released its 2019 version of the ‘State of Our State’ index, which exposes further deterioration at most levels in Lebanon in 2019.

“Some of the worst scores (related to quality of political leadership and debt settlement record) were offset by three improvements induced by the October 17th uprising: efficiency of civil society; limiting corruption and freedom of speech,” LRF said in a statement emailed to Naharnet.

Caretaker Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil on Monday denied “fabricated” reports accusing him of insisting on the formation of a techno-political government which defies the people’s will and the announcement of PM-designate Hassan Diab.

In a statement released by the minister’s media office, Bassil said Nidaa al-Watan daily published “fabricated report” accusing the minister of “turning against the formation of a government of specialists.”

A US Marine Corps force of 35 soldiers arrived in Lebanon a few days ago, with the aim of intensifying security measures at the U.S. Embassy located in Awkar, al-Akhbar daily reported on Monday.