Almost two years after Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022, Lebanese MPs still haven't managed to agree on a president or even on a dialogue to elect one.

Opposition MPs have started a presidential initiative, calling for consultations or an open election session, as they refuse a dialogue chaired by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Berri's camp believe that a dialogue in parliament must be chaired by its Speaker, Berri.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that Paris, through its “allies and partners in the region,” will ensure that “no power, by itself or through its proxies, triggers a dreaded conflagration.”

Hezbollah targeted Monday soldiers in the Biranit barracks in northern Israel and surveillance equipment in the al-Raheb post, while Israeli warplanes raided the southern border town of Mays al-Jabal and broke the sound barrier over Tyre, Sidon and al-Zahrani.

Also on Monday, the Israeli army struck Marwahin and shelled the outskirts of Shebaa in south Lebanon.

Opposition lawmakers will meet Friday with Amal and Hezbollah MPs, as they resume an initiative they had started last week, aiming to facilitate the election of a president.

Local newspaper al-Joumhouria and Lebanese Forces MP George Okais said the meeting will take place Friday, after Shiite Muslims end the commemoration of Ashura.

Hezbollah said Sunday that it attacked Israel's Ayelet military base with explosive drones in response to attacks on Lebanese towns and the targeting of civilians in Arnoun and al-Khardali.

Hezbollah had launched rockets at Israel on Saturday after an Israeli air strike killed two civilians in the country's south.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea has warned that "the situation in Lebanon cannot wait for a settlement for the situation in Gaza," stressing the need for the government to "take decisive and instant measures regarding the southern front in terms of implementing Resolution 1701."

Lebanese Muay Thai star Abdallah Ondash suffered a controversial defeat at the hands of a Thai fighter 10 years his senior and with 102 wins to his name in front of the latter’s home crowd in Bangkok, Thailand at ONE Championship’s ONE Friday Fights 70 event.

Ondash, who had previously won all four of his fights at the weekly fight series, put in another impressive performance at the iconic Lumpinee Stadium against Chokpreecha PK Saenchai.

Speaker Nabih Berri’s Development and Liberation bloc on Friday said it condemns “any insults, unjust accusations or disdain for the presidential posts and their powers and roles.”

“The unjust accusation campaigns against the parliament speaker and his role and jurisdiction are certainly deplorable and their objectives are exposed,” the bloc said after a meeting in Ain el-Tineh under Berri.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri was quoted by his visitors as dubbing Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea "ungrateful."

Ad-Diyar newspaper reported Friday that Berri told his visitors that he had refused a dialogue without the LF's attendance.

British Ambassador to Lebanon Hamish Cowell hosted Thursday a Business and Trade reception to celebrate record-breaking bilateral trade figures between the UK and Lebanon.

In 2023, bilateral trade figures between the UK and Lebanon passed the £1bn mark for the first time ever, reaching a record high of £1.1 billion, an increase on over 45% on 2022. Export brands increased to £160 million. The top five goods exported by the UK to Lebanon throughout 2023 were mechanical power generators, cars, beverages, dairy products, and medicinal and pharmaceutical products. Services accounted for over £600m.