Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc on Tuesday described the latest protests over the economic and financial situations as “a spontaneous and honest expression of concern.”

“Taking to the streets is a message addressed to all the parties who are concerned with finding solutions and halting the collapse,” the bloc said in a statement issued after its weekly meeting.

The Free Patriotic Movement-led Strong Lebanon bloc on Tuesday accused rival parties of “exploiting” the current economic and financial woes in a bid to “undermine” President Michel Aoun’s tenure.

“There won’t be an economic collapse and what’s needed is calm,” bloc secretary MP Ibrahim Kanaan announced after a weekly meeting.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Tuesday blasted what he called “campaigns” against him, hours after The New York Times reported that he “gave more than $16 million to a South African bikini model.”

It was not immediately clear whether Hariri was referring to reports and accusations related to Lebanon’s economic and financial crisis or to the NYT story.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Tuesday held a meeting at the Grand Serail with Deputy UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Philippe Lazzarini.

Lebanon's central bank is to facilitate access to dollars for importers of petroleum products, wheat and medicine, state media said Tuesday, following fears of a dollar shortage and possible currency devaluation.

Environment Minister Fadi Jreissati on Tuesday launched a campaign to reduce the use of plastic bags to end plastic waste as Lebanon grapples with a trash management crisis.

As Lebanon grapples with a worsening economic crisis, economists fear the consequences of pushing the central bank to assume a role that is supposed to be the responsibility of the government, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Tuesday.

The Presidency of the Lebanese Republic on Monday described as “baseless” the quotes attributed to “sources close to Baabda” Presidential Palace, claiming that the solution for Lebanon’s current crisis lies within the resignation of the government.

Progressive Socialist Party leader ex-MP Walid Jumblat on Monday said that compulsory military service must be restored in Lebanon and called for new government measures compelling contractors to employ more Lebanese workers to fight unemployment.

Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh said on Monday that the bank will secure foreign currency for some imports in a move that is expected to ease the demand for hard currency.

Salameh said after meeting President Michel Aoun at Baabda that the central bank will secure foreign currency needs of the private and public sectors, according to official prices.