Speaker Nabih Berri described the atmospheres engulfing the formation of Lebanon’s government as “negative” in light of scheduled foreign travels of senior leaders, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Monday.

Speaking to his visitors, Berri was quoted as saying that “since everyone is traveling abroad, negativity is governing the Cabinet formation process,” he said, adding sarcastically “perhaps they agree abroad.”

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity has snapped a dusty but cool selfie.

NASA released the panorama this week. A thin layer of dust is visible on Curiosity , the result of a storm that enveloped Mars this summer. The darkish sky indicates dust still clogging the atmosphere in August, when the panorama was shot by Curiosity's mast camera. The rover had just drilled for a new rock sample.

Judge Samir Hammoud has tasked on Saturday the Internal Security Forces Intelligence Branch to conduct investigation into the failure at Beirut airport which led to overcrowding of passengers flying from Lebanon.

As President Michel Aoun prepares to make visits abroad, the efforts to break the stalemates hampering the government formation are likely “paused,” al-Akhbar daily reported on Saturday.

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri dispatched to the Presidential Palace on Friday al-Mustaqbal Minister Ghattas Khoury to discuss the Cabinet formation file.

Head of Lebanon’s General Security agency Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim made a “quick” visit to Syria where he met with Syrian officials and discussed various files including the repatriation of Syrians in Lebanon, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Friday.

President Michel Aoun held talks with Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil at the Baabda Palace where talks focused on Lebanon’s economic conditions, the National News Agency reported Friday.

President Michel Aoun is reportedly mulling over the possibility of sending a letter to the parliament to address an “open-ended designation period” of PM Saad Hariri in light of the delay in forming a new government, the Saudi Asharq al-Awsat daily reported Friday.

The US Treasury announced sanctions Thursday targeting a network of business groups that supplies fuels to the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, along with one that handles regime trade with the Islamic State group.

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri is reportedly annoyed that a draft Cabinet line-up submitted to President Michel Aoun has “failed” to meet approval, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Thursday.

The Foreign Ministry in Lebanon welcomed on Thursday the decision of Paraguay to move its embassy back to Tel Aviv, the ministry said in a statement on Thursday.