MPs Melhem Khalaf and Najat Aoun Saliba of the Change bloc on Friday criticized a decision by the judiciary’s disciplinary council to expel Mt. Lebanon Prosecutor Judge Ghada Aoun from the judiciary over alleged violations related to her work.

“Judge Ghada Aoun has dared to open some files at a time others have refrained from that,” Khalaf and Saliba said in a joint tweet.

The head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, MP Mohammed Raad, on Friday called on the Lebanese parties to engage in dialogue to reach an agreement aimed at “picking the most suitable president for our country during this stage.”

“We want to preserve you and preserve everyone’s interests,” Raad added, addressing political rivals.

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea hosted an evening with the Lebanese and global fashion designer and businessman Elie Saab, as part of the U.S. Embassy’s “Meet the Artist” series, which highlights established Lebanese talents from all artistic backgrounds.

The event served as a window into Elie Saab’s inspiration for building a global brand and highlighted his vision for Lebanon’s future.

The Free Patriotic Movement staged a rally overnight after the judiciary’s disciplinary council decided to expel Mt. Lebanon Prosecutor Judge Ghada Aoun over alleged violations related to her judicial work.

The National News Agency said FPM supporters rallied outside Higher Judicial Council chief Judge Suheil Abboud’s house in the Keserwan town of Ballouneh, in support of Judge Aoun and in rejection of what they called an “arbitrary and unfair ruling” against her.

A European judicial team on Friday questioned Lebanon’s caretaker Finance Minister Youssef Khalil in a case against Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh.

Khalil was questioned about his work as a close associate of Salameh while working at the Central Bank, before he became a Cabinet minister, officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing probe.

Kataeb Party leader Sami Gemayel on Thursday warned the opposition forces that securing parliamentary quorum for the election of Suleiman Franjieh would be “equivalent to electing him.”

“I reassure everyone that the kingdom has not requested and we do not receive instructions from anyone, seeing as our stances and choices are related to our convictions and our country’s interest,” Gemayel said after meeting Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari in Saifi.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Thursday noted that “betting on time in the presidential file will not serve any camp, especially the Axis of Defiance and its candidate.”

The chances of the aforementioned candidate, Suleiman Franjieh, “have become nil,” Geagea added, during a meeting in Maarab with U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea.

Caretaker Justice Minister Henri Khoury on Thursday issued a circular calling on judges to “abide by the legal norms and refrain from engaging in all forms of media appearances.”

He also asked them not to “take any public stance on any journalistic or electronic platform without obtaining a prior permission from the relevant authorities.”

The judiciary's disciplinary council issued Thursday a ruling expelling Mount Lebanon Public Prosecutor Judge Ghada Aoun from the judiciary.

Aoun will appeal against the ruling, media reports said, which will halt its implementation until a final decision is taken by the Higher Judicial Council.

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari met Thursday with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkerki.

Bkerki’s spokesperson Walid Ghayad said that Bukhari has told al-Rahi that KSA considers the presidency a Lebanese decision and has no objection to any name.