MP Assem Araji said on Thursday that various "mafias backed by political sides" are rendering the government incapable of stopping corruption as he warned of an economic collapse if related authorities fail to address the matter.

“The numbers related to the corruption file raised during the parliament meeting are enormous and only indicate a tragic situation that portends the worst,” said Araji in an interview with VDL (93.3).

The burgeoning crisis of displaced Syrians in Lebanon was addressed on Wednesday during a ministerial committee meeting, in charge with studying the file, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Saad Hariri in an effort to approve a strategy for managing the crisis and its repercussions on the Lebanese arena, media reports said on Thursday.

Sources that took part in the meeting told al-Joumhouria daily that discussions focused on an overall political plan based on the "Lebanon Crisis Response," announced on January 19, so as to reach a comprehensive idea that will be presented to the international community and donor countries to determine Lebanon's share of international aid, as determined by the Lebanese government.

Hizbullah is passing through a financial crisis and is calling on its supporters for financial contributions after Iran shrank down financial aid it provides for the party, the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa daily reported on Thursday.

Billboards have spread in the southern suburbs of Beirut calling upon citizens for financial donations for the benefit of Hizbullah under the banner of “training a mujahid”, said the daily.

Governor of Central Bank of Lebanon Riad Salameh denied on Wednesday reports claiming that he submitted his resignation to President Michel Aoun, Salameh's media office said in a statement.

“Media outlets have circulated news reports on Wednesday claiming that the Central Bank Governor has placed his resignation at the disposal of the President,” said a statement issued by Salameh's media office.

A Syrian child who went missing on Tuesday in the outskirts of the northern town of al-Mhammara was found dead on the seashore in Abdeh port north Lebanon, the State-run National News Agency reported on Wednesday.

Lebanese Army troops found the dead body of Rasoul Mamdouh Shehadeh lying on the seashore near the fishermen port in said area, reported NNA.

Leader of the Democratic Gathering bloc MP Walid Jumblat lashed out at a proposal made by Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil to create a Senate under a Christian leadership and stressed that the proposal violates the Taef Accord.

The Druze leader explained that establishing a Senate was first suggested in the Taef accord so as to eliminate political sectarianism.

President Michel Aoun made his first official visit to Europe and has traveled on Wednesday to Rome where he is scheduled to hold a meeting with Pope Francis on Thursday to discuss the latest developments since his election as president.

Upon his arrival at Rome's Ciampino Airport, Aoun told reporters: “On behalf of the Lebanese I bring to the Pope a message of love that Lebanon has recovered and is on the road to unity.

Disney has indefinitely postponed the opening of its film "Beauty and the Beast" in Malaysia after censors in the Muslim-majority nation reportedly cut out a "gay moment" in the movie.

Amid mounting pressure on Iran from US President Donald Trump and the Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu's administration, an Iranian aide to the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards said that Iran has established missiles and weapons factories in Lebanon that it handed over to the Hizbullah party, the Kuwaiti al-Jarida reported on Tuesday.

A statement issued by the Iranian Defense Minister days ago said that Hizbullah has become able to manufacture missiles capable of targeting the entire Israeli territory, said the daily.

The General Directorate of General Security issued a statement on Tuesday requesting Lebanon's media outlets to commit to accuracy when reporting news about the agency.

“Some visual, printed and audio media outlets, and electronic news websites are reporting inaccurate reports about the work of the Directorate and are incorrectly referring it to sources in the agency,” the statement read.