Japanese automaker Nissan, reeling from the arrest of its former chairman Carlos Ghosn, reported Tuesday that annual profit nose-dived to less than half of what it earned the previous year, and forecast even dimmer results going forward.

Nissan Motor Co.'s profit for the fiscal year ended March totaled 319.1 billion yen ($2.9 billion), down from 746.9 billion yen the previous fiscal year — the worst showing since the global financial crisis a decade ago.

Foreign diplomats, Lebanese officials, religious and security figures flocked to Bkirki for the second on Tuesday to offer their condolences to Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi over the passing of former Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir.

The Cabinet held another budget session on Tuesday amid reports that Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil plans to present an “initiative” that will help in slashing the state’s budget deficit.

The Lebanese Foreign Ministry condemned in a statement the sabotage attacks on four commercial civilian ships in the UAE's territorial waters.

The Ministry voiced calls on the United Nations and the international community to seek to maintain the security, safety and freedom of global maritime navigation.

In the framework of regular visits organized by the Association of Banks in Lebanon to financial capitals, a delegation from the Board of Directors of the Association of Banks last week visited New York and Washington, media reports said on Tuesday.

Lebanon’s Cabinet is holding successive meetings to finalize an already belated state budget which Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said requires more discussions probably until Friday, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Tuesday.

“Currently we are studying the budgets to be allocated to the ministries, discussions are touching on the smallest details which makes it unlikely to finalize discussions today. We might need additional meetings probably until Friday,” Khalil told the daily.

Human Rights Watch on Monday called for an "impartial investigation" into the death of a Lebanese detainee over allegations he was tortured while in custody, a charge police have denied.

Defense Minister Elias Bou Saab on Monday reassured that the salaries and other compensations of active and retired servicemen will not be touched, as the Cabinet held another budget session.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Monday strongly condemned the sabotage attacks on four commercial civilian ships in the UAE's territorial waters.

A Hizbullah delegation led by political council chief Sayyed Ibrahim Amin al-Sayyed on Monday offered condolences in Bkirki over the death of former Maronite patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir.