Beirut port blast investigator Judge Tarek Bitar on Monday joined a Higher Judicial Council meeting after he was summoned by the conferees, media reports said.

State Prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat meanwhile left the meeting seeing as he had been recused from the port case.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea was on Monday summoned to testify as a “witness” in the case of the Tayyouneh-Ain al-Remmaneh deadly incidents.

“You are required to be present at the Defense Ministry in Yarze – the Intelligence Directorate’s Investigations Branch – at 9am Wednesday to give your testimony as a witness over the case of the Tayyouneh-Shiyyah-Ain al-Remmaneh incidents,” an Intelligence Directorate notice said.

Taxi drivers blocked several key roads across the country on Monday morning in protest at the latest hike in fuel prices.

In the capital, the drivers blocked the vital Ring highway and the Saifi intersection in central Beirut.

State Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Fadi Akiki has charged 68 people, including 18 detainees, with murder, attempted murder and the stirring of sectarian strife in connection with the deadly Tayyouneh incidents, state-run National News Agency said on Monday.

Among those charged in absentia were the Lebanese Forces official in charge of Maarab security, Simon Musallem, two Amal Movement members, two Syrians and a Lebanese Army soldier, media reports said.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati traveled Monday morning on an official visit, from Beirut to Iraq, to meet with his Iraqi counterpart Mustafa al-Kadhimi, the Premiership said.

Miqati was accompanied by General Security chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim, who is also taking part in the meeting.

President Michel Aoun’s adviser ex-minister Salim Jreissati on Sunday snapped back at the Amal Movement over accusations related to Beirut port blast investigator Tarek Bitar.

Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut Elias Aude on Sunday lashed out at Hizbullah and Amal Movement without naming them over the bloody incidents in Ain al-Remmaneh and Tayyouneh.

Head of Hizbullah’s Loyalty to Resistance bloc MP Mohammed Raad has lashed out at Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea for refusing to appear before the Military Court over the deadly Tayyouneh incidents.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi has thrown his support behind Ain al-Remmaneh’s residents and those who were arrested in the wake of the deadly Tayyouneh clashes.

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Friday vowed to follow up on the investigations into the deadly Tayyouneh incidents, as he described the probe as “serious, accurate and brave.”