Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati said Tuesday that “working in silence” is better, when asked about the cabinet formation developments.

“We have nothing to say and working in silence is better,” Mikati told al-Jadeed television.

The war in Ukraine and rising demand for natural gas around the world helped speed up a U.S.-mediated maritime border deal between Lebanon and Israel, Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil has said.

Bassil, who is under sanctions by the U.S., also told The Associated Press in an interview at his office that "it would be a crazy act" if Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati does not form a new government before the six-year term of President Michel Aoun ends Oct. 31. Disagreements between Aoun and Mikati have delayed the formation of a new Cabinet since May 15, following parliamentary elections. Since then, the government has been in a caretaker capacity.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Monday saluted President Michel Aoun for “his persistence in the sea border demarcation process between Lebanon and Israel” and for “his keenness on the unity of decision with each of the parliament speaker and the prime minister.”

The Swiss embassy in Lebanon on Monday announced the postponement of a dinner that was supposed to bring together Lebanon’s main political parties, after unconfirmed media reports about the event stirred political controversy in the country.

“Switzerland has been actively engaged in Lebanon for many years including in conflict prevention and peace promotion. Over the last couple of months, Switzerland, in collaboration with the Swiss based organization Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, was in contact with the full spectrum of political Lebanese as well as regional and international actors to prepare for consultative discussions, not for a dialogue conference,” the embassy said in a statement.

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari held talks Monday with President Michel Aoun at the Baabda Palace.

The Presidency said the talks tackled the Lebanese-Saudi relations and means to develop them in the various fields, as well as the kingdom’s support for Lebanon, especially at the social and humanitarian levels, in addition to the general situations and latest developments.

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.