The names of 40 individuals included in a controversial naturalization decree have been proven “unqualified to be granted the Lebanese nationality,” MTV channel said on Wednesday.

President Michel has reportedly refused a Cabinet lineup draft allocating nine ministerial portfolios instead of ten as a joint share between the Free Patriotic Movement and the president, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday.

The U.N. refugee agency on Tuesday urged Lebanon to reverse a decision to block residency permits for its international staffers following a spat over Syrians displaced by the war. 

The body of a dead woman was found on Tuesday lying near al-Fidar Bridge to the south of the northern city of Jbeil, the National News Agency reported.

NNA said the female, 24 years, was identified with her initials as G.A. and hails from the town of Mazboud in Mount Lebanon's Iqlim al-Kharroub region.

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri will be flying to Russia on Thursday to participate in the 2018 World Cup opening ceremony where he is expected to hold “significant meetings” with several state heads on the sidelines of the event, media reports said Tuesday.

Unnamed sources told al-Joumhouria daily that the premier is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other Asian and European leaders while in Moscow.

The Foreign Ministry has reportedly officially informed the UNHCR on Monday of caretaker Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil’s controversial decision to freeze residency permits for its staff, despite emphasis that relations with the U.N. are a jurisdiction of the prime minister, media reports said Tuesday.

A top Iranian general has praised Hizbullah and its allies for making significant gains in last month's parliamentary elections, claiming that “Hizbullah has won 74 out of parliament's 128 seats.”

General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite fighting Quds Force, also accused Saudi Arabia of paying $200 million in support of certain Lebanese parties during the elections.

Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin stressed on strengthening Lebanese-Russian ties, saying any attempt to impose foreign decisions on the Lebanese’ will be prevented.

President Michel Aoun inspected on Monday two official exam centers at the Uruguay public school for students with special learning needs, and at the Children's Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL) where baccalaureate official exams have been taking place, the National News Agency reported.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Monday called for the annulment of a controversial naturalization decree granting Lebanese nationality to “suspicious names” that “dishonor” the Lebanese nationality.