Lebanese Democratic Party leader Talal Arslan on Thursday stressed that he will not “bargain” over the Baabda reconciliation agreement, after Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat decried what he described as “one-sided” arrests in the ongoing probe into the deadly Qabrshmoun incident.

“Today we heard of a tweet that gives the impression that there is backpedaling on the Baabda resolutions, and this would not be in anyone’s interest or in the interest of security and serenity of our people in Mount Lebanon,” Arslan tweeted.

Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil on Thursday issued a clarification regarding the suspension of foodstuffs delivery to the army by the suppliers.

“Contrary to what is being circulated regarding the funds of the army’s food supplies, those concerned must check with the competent administrations to realize that the issue is incorrect,” Khalil tweeted.

The Cabinet on Thursday approved the long-awaited judicial appointments, amid objections by the Lebanese Forces over the Audit Bureau candidates.

Speaking after a Cabinet session in Baabda, State Minister for Presidency Affairs Salim Jreissati said the Cabinet also formed a ministerial panel to “assess the situations of public institutions ahead of taking the appropriate measures... and restructuring and developing administration.”

The famous Lebanese producer and director Simon Asmar has died on Thursday at age 76 after struggling with illness.

Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said he agreed with Prime Minister Saad Hariri to complete discussions of draft 2020 state budget paving way for its approval in the Cabinet as soon as the latter convenes in a session next week, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Thursday.

The United States Department of the Treasury issued new sanctions against four members of Hizbullah, a statement issued by the State Department said Thursday.

Minister of Interior and Municipalities Raya el-Hasan held a meeting with ambassadors of the donor states and the representatives of international organizations who tackled the file of conditions in Lebanese prisons, the National News Agency reported on Wednesday.

The Cabinet will convene in an ordinary session on Thursday at the Presidential Palace to discuss 29 items on the agenda mainly the controversial appointments in the judiciary.

Palestinian refugees in Lebanon rallied again on Wednesday in Beirut’s Martyr Square reiterating asylum request in the North American country of Canada.

The statements made by Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in a speech on Tuesday marking the last day of the Shiite Ashoura commemorations raised reprehensible reactions in Lebanon.

The Saudi Asharq al-Awsat daily said that Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea urged President Michel Aoun to take Nasrallah’s remarks into consideration, mainly when he said that “Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei is our imam, leader, master and Hussein in this era. He is the leader of the axis of resistance and Iran is the heart and main center of the axis.”