The Progressive Socialist Party-led Democratic Gathering bloc announced Monday that it “will not take part” in the new government but will rather “help in forming” it.

The Lebanese Forces-led Strong Republic bloc announced Monday that it will not take part in the new government that the PM-designate Najib Mikati intends to form.

Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab said Monday that the new government “can consist of specialists,” but that “they should be named by politicians.”

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil stressed Monday that the forensic audit into the central bank’s accounts “will not die.”

Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati kicked off Monday his non-binding consultations with the parliamentary blocs over the shape of the new government.

Mikati began the two-day consultations by meeting Speaker Nabih Berri in parliament. He later met with Berri's Development and Liberation bloc.

Israel on Sunday approved housing allowances for South Lebanon Army (SLA) veterans residing in Israeli territory, providing so-called "historic justice" to former members of the militia, officials said.

The decision, passed by the government, would see some 400 former SLA fighters who did not hold commanding ranks receiving a one-off grant of 550,000 shekels (around $161,000) towards buying a home over the next four years, the Israeli army said in a statement.

The head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, MP Mohammed Raad, on Sunday called for forming “a government that can be feasibly formed at the moment” to enable the country to confront its multiple challenges.

Dona-Maria Nammour was looking for a love story. The night she met Mazen Jaber for the first time, they ended up dancing for hours.

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil has called on Israel to "answer" Lebanon regarding its sea border demarcation proposal or risk facing "dangerous escalation."

Lebanon's caretaker interior minister has given instructions to security forces to stop gatherings of the LGBTQ community, following pressure from religious institutions.