The Association of Banks in Lebanon on Monday announced that banks will remain closed on Tuesday, while reassuring that the salaries of public sector employees and the armed forces will be paid on time.

“Despite the difficult situations and the blocking of roads, banks are keen on securing the salaries of public sector employees, especially the officers and personnel of the army and security forces, who represent the guarantee of the country and the citizens and enjoy the respect and appreciation of everyone,” ABL said in a statement issued after an extraordinary meeting for its board of directors.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Monday presided at the Center House over a ministerial meeting aimed at studying a general amnesty draft law.

“The meeting of the ministerial committee tasked with studying the general amnesty draft law was attended by the ministers Raya al-Hassan, Albert Serhan, Wael Abu Faour, Mohammed Fneish, Elias Bou Saab, Salim Jreissati, Youssef Fenianos and Hassan al-Laqqis,” Hariri’s office said.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Monday refuted claims published in Hizbullah’s al-Akhbar daily that Saudi Arabia and the UAE are allegedly funding media coverage of the protests in Lebanon.

Minister of Social Affairs Richard Kouyoumjian said he was surprised that the political class continues to ignore the rightful demands of protesters.

Anti-government demonstrators set up barricades and parked cars across key roads Monday to protest corruption and press their demands for a radical overhaul of the country's sectarian political system.

Defying pleas from Lebanon's top leaders, protesters sought to keep the country on lockdown for a 12th consecutive day by cutting off some of the main thoroughfares, including the main north-south highway.

The security forces reportedly postponed until Monday a plan set to reopen major roads and highways blocked by protesters “due to last minute complications,” al-Joumhouria daily reported on Monday.

Tens of thousands of Lebanese protesters successfully formed a 170-kilometer-long human chain Sunday, stretching the length of the country from Tripoli in the north to Tyre in the south, organizers said.

"I can confirm that the human chain was a success," Julie Tegho Bou Nassif, one of the organizers, told AFP.

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat on Sunday stressed that there can be no solution to the current standoff in the country without the formation of a “new government.”

“Away from conspiracy theories and skepticism whatever side they may come from, the core of the problem in most democracies lies in the flaw in the distribution of wealth, due to the liberal policy that shuns the progressive taxation system and tax on wealth and due to complete privatization,” Jumblat tweeted.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Sunday hit back at “those trying to target and attack the LF,” advising them not to “waste their time.”

“Instead of wasting your time on attacking the LF, observe the unifying and comprehensive scene from Tripoli to Tyre and from Beirut to Baalbek-Hermel,” Geagea tweeted.

Several individuals were wounded in Tripoli’s al-Biddawi when gunshots were fired during the military's attempt to reopen the road blocked by protesters.