Financial Prosecutor Ali Ibrahim on Thursday said his decision to freeze the assets of 20 Lebanese banks is “not only aimed at protecting depositors but also at rattling the banks and telling them that none of them is above accountability.”

In a phone interview with the National News Agency, Ibrahim voiced surprise about the “exaggerated uproar” over his decision, noting that “this decision is like the other judicial files that we are handling.”

The Trial Chamber of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon announced Thursday that it will deliver its verdicts in the case of the 2005 assassination of ex-PM Rafik Hariri and his companions in a public session in mid-May 2020.

In a filing issued Thursday, the Judges stated that they would specify the precise date of the public pronouncement of the Judgment as soon as possible.

The Cabinet on Thursday approved a draft law on lifting bank secrecy, Information Minister Manal Abdul Samad said, describing it as “an important achievement for the government, which will not hesitate to hold accountable any corrupt person.”

Speaking after a Cabinet session at the Baabda Palace, Abdul Samad added that the Cabinet will convene Saturday to discuss the financial situations and mull the issue of whether or not to pay a $1.2 billion Eurobond debt which matures on March 9.

Lebanon's coronavirus cases rose to 16 on Thursday after a Lebanese woman coming from Britain tested positive for the virus, the Health Ministry said.

The woman had been admitted into the American University of Beirut Medical Center on Wednesday.

Financial Prosecutor Ali Ibrahim put a “prevention of disposal” signal on the assets of twenty Lebanese banks, the National News Agency reported on Thursday.

He also imposed a freeze on the assets of the heads and members of boards of directors of these banks, said NNA.

The price of U.S. dollar to the Lebanese pound recorded a new increase on Thursday at the parallel market reaching LBP 2,680 for buying and LBP 2,600 for selling.

The Cabinet convened at Baabda Presidential Palace to discuss nine items on its agenda, in addition to several “pressing” issues, the National News Agency reported on Thursday.

President Michel Aoun chaired the meeting held in the presence of PM Hassan Diab and the ministers, said NNA.

Ministers of Economy and Justice held a joint press conference on Thursday assuring that measures were underway to control the prices of goods and services and vowing “empirical” steps and "heavy" fines on violators.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab is expected to announce Lebanon’s decision whether to pay or default on a $1.2 billion Eurobond maturity on March 9, along with a “rescue” plan that the government shall adopt in that regard, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Thursday.

Anti-government protesters blocked roads across Lebanon on Wednesday to denounce the financial and economic deterioration.

The demonstrators blocked the Saifi and Sport City roads in Beirut, the Taalabaya and Jdita roads in the Bekaa and the el-Mina, Minieh, al-Mhammara and al-Beddawi roads in the North.