President Michel Aoun should call for an “early presidential vote” if he is “unable” to sign the decrees of a specialist, nonpartisan government, Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri said on Wednesday, in a swift response to remarks voiced by the president.

President Michel Aoun called on PM-designate Saad Hariri on Wednesday to “make way” for someone else to form the new government if he is incapable of carrying out the mission.

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil held talks Wednesday at his Laqlouq residence with Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Rudakov.

Caretaker Finance Minister Ghazi Wazni on Wednesday ordered the payment of an advance worth LBP 50 billion to the High Relief Council.

A clash erupted Wednesday afternoon in Beirut’s Aisha Bakkar area in connection with roadblocking protests in the neighborhood, the National News Agency said.

Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh on Wednesday said he raised with caretaker Finance Minister Ghazi Wazni ideas that can lower the dollar exchange rate in Lebanon after it reached record levels in recent days.

Lebanese protesters briefly attempted to storm the economy ministry on Wednesday to denounce exploding prices of basic goods as the local currency collapses.

Around 20 protesters had gathered outside the ministry's Beirut headquarters a day after the Lebanese pound hit a new-low of 15,000 to the greenback, according to an AFP correspondent.

Progressive Socialist Party leader ex-MP Walid Jumblat on Wednesday said Lebanon was facing very tough days ahead, stressing the need for political compromises and government formation to steer the country out of its crisis.

Caretaker Health Minister Hamad Hassan said on Wednesday that Lebanon was currently suspending the usage of the AstraZeneca vaccine pending the decision of the international health authorities.

Lebanese stood in queues in their vehicles on Wednesday as the country witnessed a gradual increase in gasoline prices, one of Lebanon’s multiple plights bringing the country to its knees amid total political failure to address an almost two-year crisis.