Speaker Nabih Berri said the situation in Lebanon is “critical” requiring "drastic" solutions, but he pinned hope on the regional developments which he said could “positively” affect the situation in the country, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Saturday.

Lebanon is to hold a day of mourning Monday following the death of former French president Jacques Chirac, the country's leader announced.

President Michel Aoun on Friday said some of the external pressures exerted on Lebanon especially on the economic level “were not new at all,” and highlighted the need for patience with regard to the recent fears over shortage in dollar reserves.

The central bank’s intention to issue instructions to regulate the provision of funds to import fuel, wheat and medicine; in addition to the emergence of a secondary market for the exchange rate of the Lebanese pound to the dollar, have all raised concerns about a shortage in dollar reserves, media reports said on Friday.

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil on Friday said that Lebanon is recently facing a challenge at the economic level, as he accused “domestic” parties of “conspiring” against the country and its economy, the State-run National News Agency reported.

Petrol station owners in Lebanon on Friday suspended a strike and said they reached a deal with the government allowing them to pay suppliers in Lebanese pounds, following complaints over a shortage in dollars.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri mourned on Thursday the death of French ex-President Jacque Chirac.

Israeli warplanes conducted “intensive” overflights on Thursday hovering at a medium altitude over Nabatieh and Iqlim al-Tuffah, the National News Agency reported.

Lebanon launched its mobile 5G network service at the Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport on Thursday.

President Michel Aoun urged the world leaders to exert all efforts needed for the safe return of Syrian refugees to their homeland, warning against turning them into "hostages in an international game.”