The Lebanese pound's market value hit a record low against the dollar Monday, as the cash-strapped country plunges further into financial and political turmoil three years after its economy collapsed.

The pound sank further as the country, led by a caretaker government, heads into presidential elections next month with a divided parliament that has repeatedly failed to reach a consensus on a new leader.

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil arrived Monday in Ain el-Tineh, with a delegation from the Strong Lebanon bloc, to meet with Speaker Nabih Berri, in the presence of some of Amal's MPs.

"Electing a new president is only possible through dialogue," Bassil said after the meeting. "The dialogue does not mean we no longer have political differences," he added.

The Lebanese Forces party has said that it will not attend a dinner banquet that will be held Tuesday between Swiss Ambassador to Lebanon Marion Weichelt Krupski and representatives of the Lebanese political parties.

Al-Jadeed TV had reported that the meeting is aimed at preparing for a dialogue conference that will be held in Geneva, noting that the conference will involve several “official sessions.”

President Michel Aoun would rather focus on the upcoming presidential election, as he thinks there is no more need to form a government only days before the end of his presidential term, sources said.

A political source told al-Joumhouria newspaper, in remarks published Monday, that Aoun has shared his thoughts over the matter with French President Emmanuel Macron in their latest phone call, days ago.

A meeting will be held Tuesday between Swiss Ambassador to Lebanon Marion Weichelt Krupski and representatives of the Lebanese political parties, al-Jadeed TV reported on Sunday.

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil has hinted that he might change his mind and join the presidency race, as he lashed out at Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea without naming him.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said the "historic agreement" between Lebanon and Israel that unlocks offshore gas production was an "important step towards more peace" between the two sides.

Lebanon and Israel are expected to submit signed letters regarding their sea border agreement in the last week of October, according to the mechanism that has been agreed on, Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab has said.

Amnesty International has urged the Lebanese authorities to reconsider their "voluntary returns" policy for Syrian refugees, saying it puts them at "risk of suffering from heinous abuse."

Qatar is interested in gas exploration in Lebanon, caretaker Energy Minister Walid Fayyad said Friday, a day after President Michel Aoun announced Lebanon's official approval of a U.S.-brokered border demarcation deal with Israel, unlocking significant offshore gas production.

Fayyad said that Qatari Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi has expressed Qatar's interest in joining the companies that will explore the block 4 and the block 9, where the Qana field is located.