More than 100 Syrian refugees have been either killed or wounded in the deadly clashes between army troops and jihadist fighters in the northeastern border town of Arsal, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced on Wednesday.

"At least 100 Syrian refugees have been killed or wounded in the shelling on regions where they are taking refuge in Arsal,” the Observatory said in a released statement, without holding any party responsible for the bombing.

The European Union announced on Wednesday its “strong condemnation” of the clashes in the northeastern town of Arsal, highlighting the need for “effective and legitimate institutions in Lebanon” that can help it overcome the unrest.

The spokesperson of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said in a statement: “We strongly condemn the assault by violent extremist groups on the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in the area of Arsal.”

The Muslim Scholars Committee delegation succeeded on Wednesday in reaching an agreement with Islamist gunmen in the northeastern town of Arsal to extend a ceasefire in the area and release a number of officers detained in the region over the weekend.

It said during a press conference: “The ceasefire in Arsal will be extended for 24 hours and the gunmen have started to withdraw from the town.”

Saudi Arabia has provided Lebanon's army with one billion dollars to strengthen security, al-Mustaqbal movement leader and ex-Prime Minister Saad Hariri told reporters in Jeddah on Wednesday, accusing Hizbullah of being partly responsible for the clashes between troops and jihadists in the northeastern border region of Arsal.

King Abdullah "has informed me of his generous decision to provide the Lebanese army... with one billion dollars to strengthen its capabilities to preserve Lebanon's security," Hariri told reporters in Jeddah.

Education Minister Elias Bou Saab revealed on Wednesday that he will resort to issuing passing statements for Grade 12 and Grade 9 students who applied for official exams to allow them to continue with their academic plans amid differences with the Syndicate Coordination Committee.

“I took the decision to issue passing statements to all students who applied for official exams,” Bou Saab said at a press conference he held at the ministry on Wednesday afternoon, adding that he will communicate his decision with the council of ministers.

Security forces thwarted on Wednesday an attempt to smuggle cannabis into Zahle prison, reported the National News Agency.

It said that 30 grams of cannabis were discovered hidden in a number of cucumbers.

Senior officials held a meeting at the residence of former President Michel Suleiman in Yarze, the state-run National News Agency reported on Wednesday.

The meeting, which was held on Tuesday evening, gathered Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, Prime Minister Tammam Salam, head of al-Mustaqbal Parliamentary bloc Fouad Saniora and Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat.

Speaker Nabih Berri renewed on Wednesday his rejection of the extension of parliament's term for a second time, reported media outlets.

He instead requested that the Interior Ministry make the preparations to stage the parliamentary elections.

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil urged on Wednesday the United States to take a legal action against crimes committed by terrorist organizations in the Iraqi city of Mosul and the northeastern border town of Arsal.

“The U.S. should take action against the crimes against humanity that are committed by takfiri organizations in Mosul and Arsal,” Bassil told U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale during a meeting at the Bustros Palace.

The Maronite bishops council condemned on Wednesday the ongoing clashes in the northeastern town of Arsal between the army and Islamist gunmen, voicing their support to the military in its mission.

It said: “We condemn the unrest and express our complete support to the army and security forces as should all political powers.”