U.S. Embassy Beirut and the United Nations commence Tuesday cash distributions under the “Livelihood Support Program.”

The first tranche of this program, valued at $16.5 million, will disburse temporary financial support for Internal Security Forces (ISF) personnel.

Parliament passed Tuesday a law that extends municipalities' term for a second time for up to a year, in a session boycotted by the Lebanese Forces, Kataeb, Tajaddod and Change MPs.

Caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi had urged the government to secure the necessary funds to start the elections on May 7, but government failed to secure the funds.

Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Friday pledged to respond against any Israeli attack in Lebanon following last week's major cross-border escalation.

Describing the flare-up as “an important and major event,” Nasrallah said that Hezbollah’s “policy of silence is the best choice in managing the battle with the enemy.”

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called Thursday for a legislative session that will take place on Tuesday and during which the MPs will vote on a draft law for extending the municipalities' term.

Two draft laws have been submitted by Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab and MP Sajih Atiyeh. The first aims at extending the municipalities' term by 4 months, and the second extends the municipal councils' term by a year.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea has said that the reality of the crisis is the existence of an "illegal armed organization," usurping the strategic decision of the state.

"The last example is what we witnessed in the south last week," he added.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Thursday called for a caretaker cabinet session on April 18.

The session has nine items on its agenda, most notably increasing the salaries and transport allowances of the public and private sectors and the funding needed for the municipal elections.

Caretaker Energy Minister Walid Fayyad said Thursday that the electricity plan has relatively and slightly succeeded.

In a press conference, Fayyad said that power supply has reached four to five hours per day instead of 8 to 10 due to limited funding.

Caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi met Thursday with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkerki and discussed the municipal elections.

"I have stressed on the need to hold the municipal elections," Mawali said, after the meeting.

The Council of Maronite Bishops on Wednesday condemned the latest use of Lebanese soil to fire rockets at Israel.

A ministerial committee tasked with addressing the repercussions of the financial crisis on Wednesday approved a proposed hike of public sector salaries.