Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab met Tuesday in parliament with U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea.

Bou Saab briefed the ambassador on the outcome of the talks that were held Monday in Baabda over the sea border demarcation file and on the final remarks that were presented by the Lebanese side regarding U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein’s final proposal.

Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati on Tuesday pledged to “carry on with the new government formation process” despite the “many obstacles” that he said are being put in his way.

Mikati also lamented that there are “conditions and suggestions aimed at creating a de facto situation during the most dangerous phase of our history.”

Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat said overnight that he does not consider MP Michel Mouawad to be a confrontational presidential candidate.

“I do not consider Michel Mouawad a confrontation candidate. He is the son of Taef (Accord’s) martyr Rene Mouawad, and we want a president who would address the main controversial topics through dialogue. (Hezbollah’s) arms are one of these topics for example and the file should be tackled through a defense strategy,” Jumblat said in an interview on LBCI TV.

Several caretaker ministers have requested not to be part of the new government, LBCI television said.

“Telecom Minister Johnny Korm has informed PM-designate Najib Mikati of this, proposing the name of Ziad al-Jalfoun to be his successor, and he has informed the Marada Movement of his decision,” LBCI quoted informed sources as saying.

Four Lebanese banks were stormed Tuesday by depositors, a day after a man stormed BLOM Bank’s branch in Haret Hreik.

In the northern city of Tripoli, employees and workers of the Kadisha Electricity Company stormed a branch of the FNB bank in protest at the bank’s deduction of fees from their salaries.

Lebanon has requested "amendments of specific sentences" in its response to U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein’s latest and final proposal, a Lebanese official involved in the negotiations said.

The remarks include "amendments of specific sentences so that there is no room for misunderstanding," the official added.

Liberian authorities have said that they have seized some $100 million worth of cocaine, with help from the United States' international narcotics agency.

The expected governmental reshuffle might expand to target five portfolios, informed sources have said.

The reshuffle “will not stop at replacing the economy and displaced ministers but will also target three other portfolios: youth and sports, social affair and foreign affairs,” the sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper in remarks published Monday.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has said that he will call for a second presidential election session before the middle of the current month.

“All parties must shoulder their responsibilities regarding this juncture,” Berri added, in remarks to Annahar newspaper published Monday.

President Michel Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and PM-designate Najib Mikati held a meeting Monday in Baabda to discuss a U.S. proposal to demarcate the maritime border with Israel -- a step that could allow both countries to explore offshore resources.

The meeting followed another by a Lebanese technical team and advisors to Aoun, Berri and Mikati. The technical team later joined the meeting of the three leaders.