Washington received an official apology from Lebanon on its participation in the “White House conference on efforts to counter violent extremism,” because it cannot be a “partner with Israel in confronting terrorism,” media reports said.

More than 60 countries, including 14 Arab nations and Israel, are expected to take part in the summit slated on February 18 at the White House and presided by U.S. President Barack Obama.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam noted on Friday that the presence of refugees in a country of such fragile economic and political scenes as Lebanon is a “ticking time bomb”.

He said: “The large number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon has led to an increase in crime due to unemployment and poverty.”

A clash broke out on Friday between the army and a suspect wanted on drug dealing charges, reported the National News Agency, as a man was killed and four other were hurt, including two troops, in a shooting in Akkar.

NNA said that the shootout erupted between a security patrol and Murad Zoaiter as he was being chased in al-Zoaiteriyeh neighborhood in al-Fanar.

A Lebanese professor at the University of South Carolina's school of public health was reportedly killed in an apparent murder-suicide on Thursday.

The deaths occurred at the university's school of public health.

Bahraini Foreign Minister Khaled bin Ahmed al-Khalifa on Friday told Prime Minister Tammam Salam that “no Lebanese party should interfere in Bahrain's affairs.”

“Bahrain is keen on the unity and stability of Lebanon and considers it a symbol for civilization among the Arab countries,” the minister said during a meeting with Salam on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

Free Patriotic Movement chief MP Michel Aoun underlined Friday the importance of “understanding” among all the parties to elect a new president, noting that the FPM-Hizbullah memorandum of understanding that was signed nine years ago protected Lebanon more than once.

Asked whether electing a new president needs an understanding during a phone interview on OTV, Aoun said, “Yes, a new agreement is needed among all the parties.”

A delegation from Hizbullah held talks on Friday with Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun to mark the ninth anniversary of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two sides, with the party emphasizing the importance of dialogue in easing tensions in Lebanon.

Hizbullah politburo official Mahmoud Qomati said after the meeting: “The MoU between Hizbullah and the FPM should serve as an example of dialogue between all Lebanese parties.”

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi held a meeting on Friday with Pope Francis at the Vatican, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Al-Rahi is expected to head a mass at 7:00 pm on Monday at the Maronite College in Rome on the occasion of Saint Maroun.

Police arrested on Friday a supporter of fugitive Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir in the southern coastal city of Sidon, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Security forces found on Mustafa K.'s mobile phone slogans and photos supporting the extremist Islamic State group, NNA said.

General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim visited on Friday the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon to extend his condolences over the death of a Spanish peacekeeper last week.

Ibrahim met with UNIFIL Commander Maj. Gen. Luciano Portolano at the mission's base in the southern town of Naqoura.