The Cabinet convened at Baabda Palace on Thursday to tackle several pressing issues including a recommendation to extend the general mobilization period to curb the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Despite the international community’s dismay with the reluctance of Lebanon’s authority to carry out concrete rescue and reform initiatives, a new international opportunity arose on the horizon and is based on a “rescue” road map set by the European Union’s Ambassador to Lebanon Ralph Tarraf, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Thursday.

The Syndicate of Money Changers in Lebanon on Thursday and agreed to buy the US dollar for a minimum of 3,950 Lebanese pounds and sell at a top rate of 3,970 pounds.

The UK “continues to be at the forefront of responding to the Government of Lebanon’s urgent needs in response to COVID-19 and will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Lebanon in facing this crisis,” said British Ambassador to Lebanon Chris Rampling during his announcement of UK support that has reached well over $2 million so far.

Lebanon on Wednesday recorded 14 more COVID-19 coronavirus cases, the Health Ministry said.

President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Wednesday underlined Lebanon's keenness on the role of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), during a meeting with the ambassadors of the five permanent U.N. Security Council member states.

The head and members of the Industrialists Association of Choueifat and Suburbs on Tuesday held an “important meeting” with Industry Minister Imad Hoballah and the Ministry's Director General Dany Jadoun, the Association said.

Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc warned Tuesday against what it called “the deliberate political and partisan hegemony over of the powers of the Council of Ministers.”

Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi on Tuesday warned anti-government protesters against insulting political leaders, the blocking of roads and what he described as “provocation.”

Health Minister Hamad Hasan on Tuesday said he expects the government to extend the so-called state of general mobilization in the face of the coronavirus pandemic for another two weeks.