The International Support Group for Lebanon (ISG) on Wednesday emphasized “the importance of electing within the timeframe set by the Constitution, a new President who could unite the Lebanese people and work with all regional and international actors to overcome the economic and humanitarian crisis for the greater public good, most immediately by paving the way for comprehensive reforms and an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).”

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.

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.

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.

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Monday hit out at opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu over the latter’s criticism of the emerging sea border deal with Lebanon.

“Some facts for Netanyahu, simply because he did not see the agreement: Israel receives 100% of its security needs, 100% of the Karish field and even some of the profits of the Lebanese field,” Lapid tweeted.