Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Tuesday called for the formation of a new government, in his first remarks since returning to Lebanon from a lengthy vacation abroad.

“I have not ceased to act in caretaker capacity and if they want more than that we will do it, but what’s important is the formation of a government,” Hariri told reporters at the Center House after he presided over a meeting for the al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc.

President Michel Aoun on Tuesday said that the formation of the new government requires choosing “competent individuals who deserve the confidence of people and parliament.”

“The government should have been formed last week, but some obstacles have prevented that,” Aoun said.

Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri presided over a meeting for al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc on Tuesday afternoon, shortly after he returned to Lebanon from a vacation abroad that involved offering condolences in Oman over Sultan Qaboos’ death.

A statement issued by Hariri’s office said the meeting was tackling “the latest developments and the general situations.”

Lebanese protesters resumed blocking major highways on Tuesday in what they said would be a "week of wrath" demanding an end to a nearly three-month political vacuum.

Samer al-Khoury, a 29-year-old protester, said the protesters were giving the politicians 48 hours to form a new government.

Caretaker Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil on Tuesday paid Speaker Nabih Berri a “surprise” visit in Ain el-Tineh.

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.