Smuggling operations from Syria into Lebanon extend from “Akkar’s town of Wadi Khaled to the Bekaa region” and the smuggled goods enter Lebanese territories through the Syrian Port of Tartus, the Saudi Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported on Friday.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker has confirmed that new U.S. sanctions will “absolutely” target allies of Hizbullah regardless of their “sect,” in an apparent reference to the Iran-backed group’s Shiite and Christian allies.

In an interview with LBCI television, Schenker added that the sanctions will not affect Washington’s relation with the Lebanese government, while noting that Hizbullah is not being able to pay salaries to fighters or funds to its social institutions through Lebanese banks.

Lebanese Democratic Party leader Talal Arslan on Thursday stressed that he will not “bargain” over the Baabda reconciliation agreement, after Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat decried what he described as “one-sided” arrests in the ongoing probe into the deadly Qabrshmoun incident.

“Today we heard of a tweet that gives the impression that there is backpedaling on the Baabda resolutions, and this would not be in anyone’s interest or in the interest of security and serenity of our people in Mount Lebanon,” Arslan tweeted.

Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil on Thursday issued a clarification regarding the suspension of foodstuffs delivery to the army by the suppliers.

“Contrary to what is being circulated regarding the funds of the army’s food supplies, those concerned must check with the competent administrations to realize that the issue is incorrect,” Khalil tweeted.

The Cabinet on Thursday approved the long-awaited judicial appointments, amid objections by the Lebanese Forces over the Audit Bureau candidates.

Speaking after a Cabinet session in Baabda, State Minister for Presidency Affairs Salim Jreissati said the Cabinet also formed a ministerial panel to “assess the situations of public institutions ahead of taking the appropriate measures... and restructuring and developing administration.”

The famous Lebanese producer and director Simon Asmar has died on Thursday at age 76 after struggling with illness.

Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said he agreed with Prime Minister Saad Hariri to complete discussions of draft 2020 state budget paving way for its approval in the Cabinet as soon as the latter convenes in a session next week, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Thursday.

The United States Department of the Treasury issued new sanctions against four members of Hizbullah, a statement issued by the State Department said Thursday.

Minister of Interior and Municipalities Raya el-Hasan held a meeting with ambassadors of the donor states and the representatives of international organizations who tackled the file of conditions in Lebanese prisons, the National News Agency reported on Wednesday.

The Cabinet will convene in an ordinary session on Thursday at the Presidential Palace to discuss 29 items on the agenda mainly the controversial appointments in the judiciary.