Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil hailed the government’s and parliament’s efforts leading to the ratification of the 2019 state budget, stressing that his ministry has started preparations for the 2020, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Saturday.

The Commander of United States Marine Corps Forces Central Command, Lieutenant General Carl E. Mundy, and U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth H. Richard visited Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) installations on Friday and met with senior officials, the U.S. embassy said.

Parliament on Friday approved the 2019 state budget after three days of heated parliamentary debate.

The budget was passed with 83 votes in favor, 17 against and one abstention.

Member of Hamas political bureau Izzat Al-Rashak arrived in Beirut on Friday after being tasked by Hamas political bureau chief, Ismael Haniyeh, to monitor the situation of Palestinian refugees against the backdrop of Lebanon’s Labor Ministry concerning non-Lebanese workers, the National News Agency reported.

The Fatah Movement has assured on Friday that the “Palestinian National Authority in Ramallah” has given its directives to prevent any protests at the decision of the Lebanese Labor Ministry outside the premises of the Palestinian refugee camps, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Friday.

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid al-Bukhari stressed that the Lebanese-Saudi relations are considered one of the most significant inter Arab relations, stressing that the Saudi foreign policy is keen on Lebanon’s stability and prosperity, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Friday.

Minor scuffles broke out outside parliament Thursday when protesters tried to advance towards the building during the final session of parliamentary debate on the 2019 state budget.

The scuffles erupted after the protesters – a grouping of retired servicemen – crossed a barrier placed by security forces near An-Nahar newspaper’s building.

MP Nawwaf al-Moussawi of Hizbullah’s Loyalty to Resistance bloc resigned from parliament Thursday following a string of controversial incidents.

“Hizbullah has been officially informed of the resignation of MP Nawwaf al-Moussawi” from parliament, state-run National News Agency reported.

One hundred and seventy-six Lebanese students have successfully completed the seventh edition of the Inter-University Programme on International Criminal Law and Procedure (IUP-ICLP), the Special Tribunal for Lebanon said on Thursday.

“When the impossible becomes possible… Through this project, I am now able to support my family and give them a better life,” said fisherman Wafic El Sabra.