The Mount Lebanon Prosecuting Authority on Tuesday approved a ruling by Investigative Judge Bassam al-Hajj for the release of the activist Rabih al-Zein on an LBP 500,000 bail, the National News Agency said.

Friends of al-Zein meanwhile gathered outside the Justice Palace in Baabda in anticipation of his release, amid strict security measures in the area.

A military investigative judge charged Amer Fakhoury with murder and torture of Lebanese citizens on Tuesday, crimes he allegedly committed during Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon, judicial officials said. The accusations could carry a death sentence.

Amer Fakhoury, Lebanese-American, has confessed to working as a senior warden at Khiam Prison, which was run by an Israel-backed Lebanese militia. Fakhoury was detained after returning to his native Lebanon from the U.S. in September. However, he's undergoing cancer treatment, and it remains unclear if he'll be able to stand trial.

The Cabinet will convene on Thursday at Baabda Palace to discuss and approve the government’s Policy Statement, the National News Agency reported on Tuesday.

Health Minister Hamad Hasan assured on Tuesday that the crew of a vessel arriving from the Far East to Lebanon’s territorial waters has been proven free of coronavirus.

A group of economists working in international financial institutions cautioned that the economic crisis in Lebanon has reached a “very dangerous” stage and the Lebanese government must not rush decisions related to “major issues,” al-Joumhouria daily reported on Tuesday.

The ministerial panel drafting the new government’s Policy Statement completed its task on Monday and a Cabinet session will be held Thursday to approve it, the information minister said.

“There are no tax amendments but the Policy Statement includes taxing and monetary reforms,” Manal Abdul Samad said after the committee finished its last meeting.

Most Lebanese banks on Monday slashed the monthly dollar withdrawal limit by 50%, media reports said.

For example, Bank Audi will give every small depositor who has a dollar account $300 every 15 days instead of $300 weekly. Depositors with accounts over $100,000 will meanwhile get $500 every 15 days while those whose accounts contain more than $1 million will be eligible to $1,000.

Mount Lebanon Examining Magistrate Bassam al-Hajj on Monday ordered the release of protest movement activist Rabih al-Zein on an LBP 100,000 bail, referring the file to public prosecution.

“The public prosecution will approve or dismiss the order tomorrow,” MTV reported.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea announced Monday that the LF-led Strong Republic bloc will attend parliamentary sessions aimed at debating the new government’s Policy Statement.

“The Strong Republic bloc will attend the confidence sessions out of its keenness on the continuity of the work of state institutions but it will not grant the government its confidence,” Geagea said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nassif Hitti reiterated Lebanon's commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative which was endorsed at the Beirut Arab League Summit in 2002, based upon related UN resolutions and international law principles, in order to reach a just, lasting, and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian Cause, the National News Agency reported on Monday.