Former justice minister Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi accused the “State authorities of meddling” in the parliamentary elections in order to “secure victory,” as he called for international observers to monitor the May 6 elections, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Friday.

“We have already warned against the authority's interference and influence in the elections. Today we have become certain that they are using legal and illegal means to ensure their victory,” the daily quoted Rifi as saying.

Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasarllah said his party is going to fight a true battle against “corruption” in the upcoming legislative elections, as he blamed Lebanon's public debt on “the side that assumed the premiership since 1992,” al-Joumhouria daily reported on Friday.

The Episcopal Media Committee has filed a complaint with the Lebanese National Audiovisual Media Council over two satire TV shows that made “cynical references against segments from the holy Bible”, the National News Agency reported on Thursday.

NNA said the Audiovisual Media Council received the complaint filed against weekly satire entertainment programs one hosted by Hisham Haddad on LBCI, and another on al-Jadeed TV hosted by satirist character called Abu Talal.

Spokesman for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Andrea Tenenti said Thursday that talks to solve border disputes between Lebanon and Israel are ongoing until a solution is reached.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi “stands at an equal distance” from all political parties and refuses to interfere in the parliamentary electoral process, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Thursday.

“Bkirki stand at an equal distance from all candidates, particularly in the Christian regions. Bkirki does not support anyone (candidate or party) at the expense of another,” the daily quoted Bkirki sources.

The U.N. Security Council reaffirmed its strong support for Lebanon's political independence following a report by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who said "crises in the region continue to pose a risk to the stability" of the country.

In a report circulated this week, Guterres pointed to the sudden resignation — later rescinded — of Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri late last year while he was in Saudi Arabia as one crisis. It was widely seen as orchestrated by Hariri's Saudi backers, who complain that the Lebanese government is controlled by the powerful Iran-backed Hizbullah group.

President Michel Aoun chaired the government meeting on Wednesday at Baabda Palace to discuss and decide on 35 items on the agenda, “including some urgent files,” the National News Agency reported.

The meeting was held in the presence of Prime Minister Saad Hariri and government ministers.

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil said on Wednesday that a draft law will be submitted granting Lebanese women married to foreigners the right to pass their nationality to their children, “with the exception of neighboring countries.”

In light of Lebanon's preparations for its long-awaited parliamentary elections, Speaker Nabih Berri said he is “looking forward for high voter turnout,” urging the Lebanese to “practice their national duty” and cast their votes, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday.

“We are looking forward for massive election turnout. It is the national duty of each citizen,” Berri told the daily in an interview.

Saudi Arabia's crown prince received an effusive welcome at the White House Tuesday from U.S. President Donald Trump, who hailed a "great friendship" with the kingdom -- but made no public mention of the sticking points in the burgeoning alliance.

In front of the cameras, it was all back-slapping, handshakes, smiles and warm words between Trump and the heir to the Saudi throne, Mohammed bin Salman, who was seeking to burnish his leadership credentials.