France has reportedly warned of an “economic collapse” and an “explosion of protests” in Lebanon shall the PM-designate form a government of politicians as desired by the head of the Free Patriotic Movement and his allies,Nidaa al-Watan daily reported on Monday.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Sunday blasted the caretaker government for failing to “practice its responsibilities.”

He also lamented that “those who brought the PM-designate are not facilitating his strenuous efforts to form a government.”

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Sunday warned U.S. officials that they would be mistaken if they thought that “the world has become safer” with the death of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.

“The U.S. administration will pay a hefty price and this crime will not go unpunished and it will not be forgotten,” said Nasrallah in a televised speech commemorating Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an Iraqi paramilitary leader who was killed with Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad.

Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh on Sunday clarified that a letter he sent to caretaker Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil was aimed at “unifying” capital controls in the country rather than imposing new restrictions.

Salameh explained that his request seeks to “regulate” the controls that the Lebanese banks have imposed on depositors.

President Michel Aoun extended his condolences on Saturday over the passing of Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said.

Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry expressed regret Saturday over the UN announcement that Lebanon is among the countries losing their voting privileges in the 193-member General Assembly for being behind in paying their dues.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri is scheduled to set a legislative session next week for discussing the 2020 state budget as soon as caretaker PM Saad Hariri returns from a trip abroad, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Saturday.

Scuffles erupted in downtown Beirut on Friday between protesters demanding the resignation of Beirut governor and mayor, and another group defending them amid heavy security deployment of anti-riot police.

President Michel Aoun discussed the financial situation with Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh amid unprecedented capital controls and a tightening economic and political crisis gripping the country since October.

PM-designate Hassan Diab “insists” on completing his mission and considers the latest developments in the region all the more call for forming a government of non-partisan experts, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Friday.