Lebanon has sent Washington remarks over the proposal presented by U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein for resolving the long-running maritime border dispute with Israel.

A draft agreement floated by Hochstein aims to settle competing claims over offshore gas fields and was delivered to Lebanese and Israeli officials at the weekend, following years of indirect negotiations.

The Karama Beirut Human Rights Film Festival (KBHRFF) kicked-off on Sunday evening at Sunflower Theater in Tayyouneh, Beirut, under the theme “The First Gate” in the run-up to the United Nations Day, which is the day the organization celebrates its establishment when the U.N. Charter entered into force on 24 October 1945.

The Association of Banks in Lebanon on Tuesday blamed the state and the central bank for the country’s “extended systemic crisis,” while calling on depositors to engage with it in dialogue, after five banks were stormed in less than 48 hours in a new wave of bank heists.

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.