After more than 18 months of presidential void in Lebanon, the ambassadors of Egypt, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United States reemphasized Thursday in a joint statement the dire situation facing the Lebanese people and the irreversible implications of delaying the crucial reforms on Lebanon’s economy and social stability. "Lebanon cannot afford to wait another month," they said.

"The country needs and deserves a president who unites the nation, prioritizes the well-being of its citizens, and forms a broad and inclusive coalition to restore political stability and implement necessary economic reforms. The election of a president is also needed to ensure that Lebanon has a seat at the table in regional discussions and to conclude a future diplomatic deal on Lebanon’s southern border," the statement said.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati called for Israel's withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories Thursday as he participated in an Arab League summit in Bahrain dominated by the Israel-Hamas war.

Mikati urged fellow heads of state and government at the 22-strong grouping in the capital Manama to "pressure Israel to withdraw from our occupied land and stop its violations and attacks on our land, sea and air."

The draft closing statement of the Arab Summit that will be held today, Thursday in Manama will express support for “the Lebanese republic and its sovereignty, stability and territorial integrity.”

“We urge all Lebanese parties to give the priority to the election of a president, to strengthen the work of state institutions, to address the political and security challenges, and to implement the necessary economic reforms,” the draft statement says.

Lebanese state-run media said an Israeli strike on a car in the country's south on Thursday killed two people, with Hezbollah-affiliated rescuers saying at least one of them was a group member.

Israel and Hamas ally Hezbollah have exchanged near-daily fire since the Palestinian group's October 7 attack on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza, now in its eighth month.

Parliament convened Wednesday and approved a binding recommendation aimed at “returning the illegal Syrian migrants and residents in Lebanon to their country within a year at the latest.”

To this end, the legislature recommended that the government form a ministerial committee to “communicate and directly and strenuously follow up with the international and regional sides and the various bodies, especially with the Syrian government, and to devise a detailed timeframe for repatriating the displaced (Syrians), except for special cases protected by the Lebanese laws and specified by the committee.”

Hezbollah said it launched on Thursday "more than 60" rockets at Israeli military positions in retaliation for overnight air strikes.

Hezbollah fighters "launched a missile attack with more than 60 Katyusha rockets" on several Israeli military positions including in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, the group said in a statement.

Israeli jets raided areas in the Baalbek district overnight after Hezbollah launched multiple drones at a base near the Israeli city of Tiberias -- one of its deepest attacks into Israeli territory in months of cross-border fighting.

The airstrikes that occurred around midnight Wednesday struck the hills and mountains overlooking the town of Brital in northeast Lebanon close to the border with Syria. There was no word on casualties.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has stressed that “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stands by the Lebanese people.”

Speaking at a meeting for the Arab League council, the Saudi minister also called on the Lebanese parties to “put the public interest first through implementing political and economic reforms that lead to overcoming crises.”

Hezbollah targeted Wednesday two command centers in north Israel in response to an Israeli strike that reportedly killed a Hezbollah commander in south Lebanon.

Hezbollah said it attacked an air control command center in Meron with dozens of artillery shells and Katyusha and heavy rockets, and another command center in the Biranit barracks with heavy Burkan missiles.

Kataeb leader MP Sami Gemayel has accused Hezbollah of obstructing the return of Syrian refugees to their country, ahead of a parliament session that discussed Wednesday the refugee crisis ana a 1 billion euros EU donation to Lebanon.

"We urge (Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan) Nasrallah to open the land borders for the Syrians to return," Gemayel said, accusing Hezbollah of controlling the Lebanese-Syrian borders.