Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday condemned the rocket attacks that targeted civilian facilities in the Saudi Arabian cities of Riyadh and Jizan, the National News Agency reported.

Security forces pursued, for the second day in a row, implementing strict measures that allow vehicles with even or odd plate numbers to drive for three days a week each in an attempt to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.

U.S. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jan Kubis hailed on Tuesday the efforts of health workers in Lebanon and in the world for their “sacrifices” to stem the coronavirus pandemic.

“On this WorldHeathDay we salute all Lebanese and international health workers that are in the frontlines of battle against coronavirus in Lebanon and in the world, paying immense sacrifices,” said Kubis in a tweet.

Lebanon is likely to extend the general mobilization period for another two weeks to stem the novel coronavirus outbreak, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Tuesday.

Al-Mustaqbal Movement on Monday defended Middle East Airlines chairman Mohammed al-Hout, hours after the Free Patriotic Movement suggested that the national airline and its chief are involved in wrongdoing.

“The FPM launches false accusations against every successful national institution, like it is doing today with MEA,” Mustaqbal’s media affairs committee said in a statement.

A number of protesters on Monday staged a sit-in outside the serail of Tripoli before being disperses by the army for flouting the coronavirus instructions banning gatherings, the National News Agency said.

“They chanted slogans against corruption and the officials, calling on the government to offer urgent aid to Tripoli’s residents because they are suffering a stifling economic hardship and difficult living conditions due to the general mobilization order and the suspension of their jobs,” NNA added.

The Lebanese Order of Physicians and its Society for Infectious Diseases & Antimicrobial Chemotherapy on Monday said there is urgent need to increase the number of lab tests related to the coronavirus pandemic, especially rapid tests.

“Rapid tests are much cheaper than PCR tests and they complement them when necessary,” LOP and the Society for Infectious Diseases said in a statement.

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jan Kubis on Monday announced that the U.N. in Lebanon is preparing a COVID-19 funding appeal, to be issued this week, to support the national COVID-19 response.

“The appeal is divided into four priority areas: 1. Supporting the preparedness and response capacity of the Lebanese health system in coping with COVID-19 outbreak; 2. Strengthening the engagement and communication with communities, and support for good hygiene practice; 3. Prompted by the Syrian war and humanitarian crisis, delivering critical assistance and services to most vulnerable communities… and 4. Expanding support to growing numbers of vulnerable Lebanese population groups not covered under the LCRP (Lebanon Crisis Response Plan),” Kubis said.

The Health Ministry announced in its daily report on coronavirus that 14 new cases of the virus were detected on Monday raising the total to 541.

Chairman of the Middle East Airlines Mohammed Hout defended the airline’s position on Monday, amid allegations it is charging high costs for repatriating Lebanese in the midst of a coronavirus crisis.

“Our priority is the continuity of the company, we are unable to support the expatriates returning from abroad,” Hout said in a press conference.