A relative says that a Lebanese man held in the United Arab Emirates on charges of terrorism has been sentenced to life in prison, while five others were ordered released.

The relative of Abdul Rahman Shouman, 39, said the sentences were handed down Wednesday in a state security court in the Emirates. The relative, speaking from Lebanon, refused to be identified for security reasons.

After decades of civil war and repeated political crises made it one of the world's most indebted countries, Lebanon is drafting its "most austere" budget to secure billions of dollars in international aid.

President Michel Aoun on Wednesday reassured that the salaries of the lower and middle classes will not be affected by the austerity measures pertaining to the 2019 state budget.

Meeting with a delegation from the Economic and Social Council led by Charbel Arbid, the president stressed the need to “turn the Lebanese economy from one based on services into a productive one.”

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid al-Bukhari on Wednesday conveyed to President Michel Aoun the condolences of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, upon the passing of former Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir, the National News Agency said.

Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil assured on Wednesday that positive results will be reached regarding the budget discussions, noting that Prime Minister Saad Hariri is keen on concluding the discussions today, al-Joumhouria daily said.

“The figures will be finalized on Wednesday after we introduce the amendments we have agreed upon during the previous session. Many items and procedures will be reconsidered," Khalil told the daily.

President Michel Aoun held talks on Wednesday with Acting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State David Satterfield who arrived in Beirut on Tuesday, as Washington mediates a maritime border dispute with Israel.

Aoun and Satterfield discussed the bilateral relations between Lebanon and the US, and the latest developments on the local and regional arenas, the National News Agency reported.

Lebanon bids farewell on Wednesday to former Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, who died Sunday.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri met with Acting US Assistant Secretary of State David Satterfield for a second time on the visit who made no comments to the press after his meeting with the Premier.

President Michel Aoun on Tuesday reassured that the Lebanese lira is “not in danger.”

An international delegation of fifteen senior military officers from the British Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) led by Air Vice Marshall Garry Tunnicliffe visited Lebanon for one week to learn about the political, economic, security, and social challenges facing Lebanon and how these relate to regional and international stability.