Spotlight
As coronavirus forces billions of people around the world into lockdown, another sizable population has also been hard hit -- stray animals.
While pet owners in many countries are still allowed to walk their dogs, thousands of other animals -- the exact numbers are unknown -- are starving and turning feral.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Thursday reassured that “over 90% of bank deposits will not be touched in any financial measures that will be taken.”
As for when depositors can withdraw their money, Diab said Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh should be asked this question.

The government on Thursday extended the so-called state of general mobilization by another two weeks in a bid to further contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
“The government has so far succeeded in its efforts to limit the coronavirus pandemic and all ministers have performed their duties,” Prime Minister Hassan Diab told a Cabinet session in Baabda.

The United Nations issued a statement on Thursday on its response to the novel COVID-19 outbreak in Lebanon.

As Lebanon prepares to welcome a new batch of expats returning to Lebanon, the Health Ministry said seven new cases of coronavirus were detected on Thursday without any new deaths.

The Higher Defense Council convened at Baabda Presidential Palace on Thursday and recommended an extension of Lebanon’s lockdown over coronavirus until April 26.

A man tried to set himself alight near one of the banks in the southern town of Jdeidet Marjayoun when the bank refused to let him withdraw money from his savings, media reports said on Thursday.
The man doused himself and the bank’s gate in fuel before the security forces intervened and tried to negotiate with him.

Speaker Nabih Berri urged the Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh to reassure people that their deposits will not be touched, after the bank’s circular about small depositors, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Thursday.

General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim said it was the Directorate’s responsibility to control money exchange shops in order to stabilize the dollar rate to the Lebanese pound, noting that a new BDL circular will be issued regarding medium bank deposits, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Thursday.

Health Minister Hamad Hasan on Wednesday toured the northern regions of Bsharri, Zgharta and Tripoli to assess readiness against the coronavirus pandemic.
In Bsharri, Hasan toured the Saint Mamas state-run hospital and the municipal building, stressing “the importance of the measures that have been taken in Bsharri to confront the coronavirus pandemic.”
