Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea has stressed that he does not want to become the president of an “inexistent republic.”

“Being an ordinary citizen in a serious and strong state is better than being the president of an inexistent republic,” Geagea said in an interview with Euronews, when asked whether he might stop criticizing Hezbollah’s arms in order to become president.

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Tuesday accused Hezbollah of “jeopardizing stability in the region” and warned that Israel “will not stand idly by in the face of any attacks,” three days after the Iran-backed party launched three drones towards the Karish offshore gas field.

“We will not turn a blind eye to Iran's arming of Hezbollah with missiles and drones,” Lapid added at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron following talks at the Elysee.

In the wake of Hezbollah’s launching of three drones towards the Karish offshore gas field, the United States warned Lebanon that it might face “deterring punitive measures” that might involve “slapping oil sanctions” on the country, media reports said on Tuesday.

“U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein openly cautioned Lebanese officials that such a step would torpedo the U.S. efforts and could subject the Lebanese investments in the oil and gas resources to the threat of sanctions, especially that it targeted a maritime area that is outside of Lebanon’s internationally-recognized border under the U.N. records,” diplomatic sources told the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper.

The government formation process is not deadlocked despite the latest political tensions, sources close to both Baabda and the Grand Serail have said.

President Michel Aoun is “still waiting for the PM-designate’s response to the remarks he voiced over (Najib) Mikati’s line-up in their latest meeting on Friday,” sources close to Aoun told al-Joumhouria newspaper in remarks published Tuesday.

Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati held talks Tuesday with Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh.

Al-Jadeed television reported that the meeting was aimed at holding consultations over the cabinet formation process.

The Lebanese government “needs to rein in Hezbollah” or else Israel “will be forced to do so,” Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid warned on Tuesday, as he headed to France for an official visit.

Hezbollah's "Iranian drones geographically flew towards the Karish field" on Saturday, "but politically they overflew the Baabda Palace," MP Pierre Bou Assi of the Lebanese Forces said on Monday.

The Lebanese state on Monday distanced itself from the drones that Hezbollah sent Saturday towards the Karish offshore field, saying “any act outside the state’s responsibility” is “unacceptable” and dangerous.

The statement was issued by Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati’s office after the premier met with caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, who is close to President Michel Aoun.

Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati announced Monday that “things are positive” regarding the new government’s formation.

Caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said Sunday that he expects Lebanon and Israel to reach a sea border demarcation agreement in September.

Bou Habib made the announcement in remarks to LBCI television.