Several people were injured Friday in a clash between Hizbullah supporters and protesters who were blocking the Jiye road, prompting the army’s intervention, media reports said.

An-Nahar newspaper said knives and rocks were used in the clash.

U.S. Embassy spokesman Casey Bonfield on Friday told al-Jadeed TV that reports claiming that Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh will be hit with U.S. sanctions are baseless.

The Central Bank’s press office meanwhile announced that Salameh will file a series of lawsuits inside and outside Lebanon against Bloomberg News, its correspondent in Beirut and “anyone who stands behind them” on charges of “fabricating news, insults and attempts to tarnish the reputation of the central bank governor.”

President Michel Aoun welcomed the historic visit of Pope Francis on Friday to Iraq, the National News Agency reported.

Aoun hoped the visit would constitute a push to establish real peace much-needed by Iraqis as well as the rest of the peoples of the region.

The US administration is reportedly considering sanctions on the governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, Riad Salameh, as investigation expands into alleged embezzlement of public funds in Lebanon, Bloomberg reported Thursday evening, citing 4 people familiar with the matter.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz revealed on Friday a target map of "Hizbullah" missiles amid civilian infrastructure in Lebanon.

Director of the state-run Rafik Hariri University Hospital, Firass Abaid voiced concern on Friday over the rise in number of younger COVID-19 patients admitted to the emergency room.

French Ambassador to Lebanon Anne Grillo announced a new batch of French aid for Lebanon, stressing that assistance for the crisis-hit country “does not replace much-needed reforms.”

To feed her family, Lebanese mother Sandra al-Tawil sold her fridge and washing machine. Now she fears the cash-strapped state will scrap food subsidies, plunging them deeper into poverty.

The media adviser of PM-designate Saad Hariri, Hussein al-Wajeh, commented Thursday on a statement issued by Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil.

“We thank Jebran Bassil for his statement, which confirms what was clear from the very first moment to President (Michel) Aoun: a government of 18 ministers containing three specialist, nonpartisan ministers for President Aoun if the FPM bloc does not intend to grant confidence to the government, and additional three ministers if his bloc commits to granting confidence,” al-Wajeh said.

Lebanese protesting the dire living conditions took to the streets Thursday across the country, blocking vital highways and roads.

In the capital, protesters blocked the roads around Martyrs Square, sparking altercations with motorists who were trapped in their vehicles. Security forces later intervened to reopen the roads and contain the situation.