The Ministry of Education and Higher Education announced early Monday afternoon that all public and private schools in Lebanon would remain closed until Wednesday, following the powerful earthquake felt overnight and given the stormy weather conditions in the country.

"Following the earthquake, the report of aftershocks, and in view of the weather conditions and the worsening of the storm in Lebanon, caretaker Education Minister Abbas Halabi announces the closure of all public and private schools, high schools, institutes and higher education institutions on Tuesday and Wednesday," read a statement issued by the Ministry.

"This closure will prevail until the storm dissipates and the state of the roads is ascertained, for fear that the frost will cause slippage and to preserve the safety of students, pupils and faculty members," it added.