Since January 14, 2020, Lebanon witnessed “a worrying wave of attacks against journalists and photographers covering protests in Beirut,” leading international and Lebanese press freedom groups said on Tuesday.

Amnesty International decried on Tuesday the use of force against protesters following rare violence over the weekend that left hundreds wounded.

A Parliament session set to discuss and endorse the draft 2020 state budget was postponed until next week, the National News Agency said on Tuesday.

Marada Movement chief Sleiman Franjieh on Tuesday said his participation in the government is not decided yet, and accused Free Patriotic Movement chief of obstructing a much-delayed cabinet formation because of his “greediness” and intentions to get one-third veto power.

“Marada Movement has not decided yet on leaving or joining the government, but I will not impede the formation,” said Franjieh in a press conference.

A U.S. report on the situation in crisis-hit Lebanon reportedly describes the situation as “discouraging” and blames the political authority for economic deterioration after “ignoring” for years all advice delivered by the World Bank, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Tuesday.

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat held talks Monday with caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri at the Center House.

France on Monday expressed concern over the violence that marred the latest demos in Lebanon, urging the formation of a new government that would carry out credible reforms.

“France is concerned over the violence in Lebanon’s demos over the past days and it stresses that the demonstrators’ legitimate aspirations should be expressed through peaceful means,” the French foreign ministry said in a statement, while reiterating its support for the right to assembly.

Hizbullah deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem on Monday said that his party is against “rioting,” in the wake of a week that witnessed several violent demos and acts of vandalism against many banks.

“This is rioting that we do not accept and it will only lead to further deterioration in the country, that’s why we must all press and contribute to breaking the government deadlock,” Qassem said.

Lebanese activists on Monday launched a social media campaign to express outrage and solidarity with anti-government protesters who lost eyes after being hit by rubber bullets fired by riot police.

The activists posted pictures of themselves covering one eye under the Arabic hashtag “Our Revolution Is Your Eyes”.

Prime Minister-designate Hassan Diab held talks Monday at his residence with Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh, Hizbullah secretary-general’s political assistant Hussein Khalil and Speaker Nabih Berri’s political aide Ali Hassan Khalil.

LBCI television said the meeting “did not achieve tangible results in terms of resolving the obstacles delaying the government’s formation.”