Caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib revealed Friday that Lebanon has received “a number of protests and warnings from a number of Western countries” after a Syrian-flagged ship carrying wheat and barley arrived at Tripoli’s port on Thursday.

“The relevant authorities in Lebanon are currently examining the ship and Lebanon has not yet managed to identify the source of the material it is carrying,” Bou Habib added, noting that the appropriate decision would be taken later.

The Russian Embassy in Lebanon denied Friday any knowledge of a Syrian cargo ship that has docked in the port of Tripoli with "stolen grain from Ukraine."

Ukraine said the ship, sanctioned by the United States, carried 5,000 tons of flour and 5,000 tons of barley stolen by Russian from the war-torn country. The ship, Laodicea, was initially heading to Tartus Port in Syria, and was expected to arrive there earlier this week.

Free Patriotic Movement said Friday, in a video post on social video, that what is happening in Parliament is sad.

"First, there is disrespect and impoliteness between the MPs," Bassil said, adding that the Parliament is not "productive."

Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea said Friday that smuggling is the common factor between the multiple crises in Lebanon.

Geagea mentioned, in a post on social media, the economic collapse, the fuel crisis, the Akkar tragic explosion and the bread crisis.

France and Saudi Arabia stressed Friday, in a joint statement, the two countries' support for the sovereignty, security and stability of Lebanon.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had talked over dinner Thursday about regional crises including the war in Yemen and Iran's nuclear program.

The Israeli cabinet is holding a meeting on Sunday to discuss the maritime border demarcating with Lebanon and Hezbollah's threats, an Israeli media report said.

On Sunday, U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein is scheduled to arrive in Lebanon with a response to Lebanon's demands. Lebanese and Israeli media reports have said that the solution to the border dispute is near and that Hochstein will present a framework for an agreement.

Israeli Energy Minister Karen Elharrar said Thursday that Israel is not negotiating with Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah over sea border demarcation with Lebanon.

Caretaker Economy Minister Amin Salam confirmed Thursday that a Syrian ship carrying stolen Ukrainian barley and wheat is docked at Tripoli’s port, after Kyiv warned over bilateral relations.

“The Directorate General of Customs is following up with the Agriculture Ministry on the issue of the Syrian ship that is under sanctions and has docked at Tripoli’s port carrying stolen Ukrainian barley and wheat,” Salam told Annahar newspaper.

Leading international auditing firm KPMG, which is tasked by the International Monetary Fund to audit the work of Lebanon’s central bank between 2015 and 2020, has not found any violations, LBCI television reported on Thursday.

The firm has also been tasked with auditing the bank’s work between 2020 and 2021, LBCI noted.

MP Cynthia Zarazir announced Thursday in remarks to al-Jadeed TV that she is “afraid” but “has not bought a gun,” clarifying earlier statements published by Annahar newspaper.

In her remarks to al-Jadeed, Zarazir denied that she has asked Army chief General Joseph Aoun for a permission to carry a gun into parliament’s building.