U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has made good on its pledge to label three Middle Eastern branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as "terrorist" organizations, imposing sanctions on them and their members in a decision that could have implications for U.S. relationships with allies Qatar and Turkey.

The Treasury and State departments announced the actions Tuesday against the Lebanese, Jordanian and Egyptian chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood, which they said pose a risk to the United States and American interests.

Relations are back on track between the U.S. administration and Lebanese Army chief Rodolphe Haykal, whose performance -- according to U.S. sources -- has changed, the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper reported on Tuesday.

The Americans are “optimistic” that Speaker Nabih Berri can play a role in the issue of removing arms north of the Litani River and they are “betting on his performance in the coming period,” the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper reported on Tuesday.

In remarks to the daily, U.S. sources described Berri’s performance as “promising,” which “gives the impression that the Speaker may have promised the U.S. administration to achieve something regarding disarmament north of the Litani,” Nidaa al-Watan said.

The corruption case of Lebanon's former central bank governor, who is widely blamed for the country's economic meltdown, has been transferred to the country's highest court, judicial officials told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Riad Salameh was released on $14 million bail in September after a year in prison while awaiting trial in Lebanon on corruption charges, including embezzlement and illicit enrichment.

Speaker Nabih Berri has said that he does not fear for Lebanon, noting that the country “has a strong weapon, which is unity.”

“This unity is what immunizes and protects the country and prevents its violation by the Israelis as is happening during this period,” Berri said in remarks to al-Joumhouria newspaper published Tuesday.

Ravers danced and swayed to the loud bass at a popular night club in the heart of the city of Beirut. It was another sold-out Saturday in the party capital of the Middle East.

What was different this time was the DJ at the helm. Before putting on his headphones, he had been leading a Mass at a Lebanese Catholic university.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said an Israeli tank fired near its peacekeepers on Monday, and warned that such attacks were becoming "disturbingly common".

UNIFIL has repeatedly reported Israeli fire near or towards its personnel in recent months, and less than two weeks ago said gunfire from an Israeli position hit close to peacekeepers twice.

Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji noted Monday that the 2024 ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel is not limited to halting hostilities but also “stipulates the removal of arms, topped by Hezbollah’s weapons.”

“All political and economic files in Lebanon are on hold due to the failure to implement the monopolization of weapons,” Rajji, who represents the Lebanese Forces in the government, told Sky News Arabia.

Lebanon has been given a “grace period” for the near future regarding the removal of Hezbollah’s weapons, informed diplomatic sources said.

“The United States has shown a tacit understanding and has granted the Lebanese government a several-week grace period before beginning to hold it accountable regarding the launch of the second phase of the arms monopolization process,” the sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper in remarks published Monday.

Lebanon has recently received “clear Israeli messages” through international envoys who visited Beirut, a senior political source said.

The source told the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper that the envoys carried “a direct warning that Israel has prepared a very broad destructive military plan should Hezbollah interfere in any potential war between Israel and Iran.”