The new government is expected to be formed on Wednesday or Thursday, media reports said on Tuesday.

“Baabda and Hizbullah expect the government to be formed in the next two days,” al-Jadeed television reported.

Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc said Tuesday that it lauds Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri's decision to “consider the current week a final week” for taking a decisive stance regarding the cabinet formation process.

In a statement issued after its weekly meeting, the bloc said Hariri has decided to enter a “new phase,” hoping his move will be “crowned with the issuance of the formation decrees.”

The Free Patriotic Movement-led Strong Lebanon parliamentary bloc warned Tuesday that it would “voice a different stance next week” should the government formation deadlock continue.

“We are full of hope to see the government being formed this week,” caretaker Energy Minister Cesar Abi Khalil said after the bloc's weekly meeting.

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri announced Tuesday that he is “cautiously optimistic” that the government will be formed soon, while confirming that the country has entered a “decisive week” in this regard.

“The decision on the formation of the government will be taken this week. Things are positive and I'm optimistic, albeit cautiously,” Hariri told reporters on the sidelines of al-Mustaqbal bloc's weekly meeting.

“The UK no longer advises against travel to Baalbek, and I’m delighted to have explored this remarkable city myself today, hearing about life here, seeing our current support and talking about more,” British Ambassador to Lebanon Chris Rampling said on Tuesday.

Rampling visited Baalbek as part of “the UK’s ongoing support to Lebanese communities” and to hear from its residents and officials about their challenges and opportunities, the British embassy said in a statement.

France on Tuesday denied media reports claiming that it has “asked Israel not to strike Lebanon,” that it has decided to “halt aid to the Lebanese Army” and that President Emmanuel Macron “will cancel his visit to Lebanon.”

“These reports are baseless,” French foreign ministry spokeswoman Agnes von der Muhll said when asked about the reports.

No positive developments are expected over the next days in Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri's efforts to put together a new government but the Consultative Gathering wishes him success, MP Faisal Karami said on Tuesday.

“We hope he will form a national unity government,” said Karami after talks in Ain el-Tineh with Speaker Nabih Berri.

Acting UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Pernille Dahler Kardel held talks with President Michel Aoun on Tuesday concluding her 14 months UN mission in Lebanon.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi accused officials on Tuesday of hampering the government formation for “individual interests,” adding that Lebanon is suffering from a “Constitutional crisis.”

Stashes of opioids have been found with a juvenile inmate inside Roumieh prison after his hospitalization where he'd been for treatment, the Internal Security Forces said in a statement on Tuesday.