Al-Mustaqbal Movement on Tuesday issued a statement in defense of Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh, after his residences were raided by State Security with the aim of bringing him to interrogation before Judge Ghada Aoun.

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved earmarking around USD 15.5 million for the organization of the upcoming parliamentary elections, as it postponed the discussion of the long-awaited electricity plan.

The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, and Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Bassam Mawlawi, chaired Tuesday the second Elections Forum to take stock of the preparations for the parliamentary elections scheduled for May 15.

Court of Cassation Judge Rola al-Masri dismissed Tuesday a recusal request that had been suspending the investigation into the Beirut port blast.

Former ministers and incumbent MPs Ali Hassan Khalil and Ghazi Zoaiter had filed a request before the Court of Cassation to recuse Judge Naji Eid from looking into a recusal lawsuit against Judge Tarek Bitar.

Interior Minister Bassam al-Mawlawi asked Tuesday "how can provocative seminars and conferences achieve Lebanon's interest?"

"We are Arabs and we will remain Arabs," Mawlawi said, stressing that sisterly countries are helping Lebanon, while "some" inside the country are letting it become "a stage for incitement."

Mount Lebanon Attorney General Judge Ghada Aoun on Tuesday pledged that she "will continue to pursue Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh until he is brought to justice," after State Security agents raided his residences in Safra and Rabieh and the bank's headquarters in Beirut without managing to find him.

The raids were aimed at enforcing a subpoena issued against Salameh by Judge Aoun.

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri visited Monday his father’s grave in downtown Beirut.

He had arrived at dawn Sunday in Beirut to mark the 17th anniversary of the assassination of father and ex-PM Rafik Hariri.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati tweeted Monday on the 17th anniversary of the assassination of ex-PM Rafik Hariri that "we especially remember his wisdom and determination, during this difficult situation."

Miqati later arrived with MP Fouad Saniora at Hariri's tomb in Beirut downtown to commemorate the assassination, as Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi laid a wreath at the tomb.

Senior Hizbullah official Sheikh Nabil Qaouq stressed Sunday that his party is “keen on the government’s efficacy and on Cabinet sessions’ continuity,” in the wake of the latest row over the approval of the state budget and the military appointments.

Al-Mustabal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri arrived at dawn Sunday in Beirut to mark the 17th anniversary of the assassination of his father, ex-PM Rafik Hariri.