Lebanon affirms commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 despite Israeli violations amid “American and European” assurances that stability in the Mediterranean country is key in light of the regional turmoil raging around it, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Saturday.

President Michel Aoun received on Friday at Baabda Palace, visiting FBI Director Christopher Wray who expressed support to the Lebanese army.

A statement released by the presidential palace said Aoun received Wray and told him that Lebanon has succeeded in fighting terror groups thanks to U.S. support and that of friendly countries.

Former Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi urged Lebanese officials to make a “formal reaction” regarding Hizbullah and how it reportedly keeps “implicating lebanon in financial and economic problems.”

Conflict over the Christian representation between President Michel Aoun and Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea has “complicated” further the mission of Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri to form a new government after more than five months of delay, the Kuwaiti Asseyasah daily reported on Friday.

The Internal Security Forces police announced a big win on Friday after arresting six people on charges of smuggling “massive amounts” of drugs from Lebanon to Egypt.

In a statement, ISF said the bust is a result of drug investigations and continuous drug suppression efforts that resulted in the arrest of two suspects, a Turkish national identified as M.Y and Lebanese Aa.Z, in the Keserwan area of Okaibe.

UNIFIL’s Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Stefano Del Col commended the role played by Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi in “carrying a message of peace and stability,” a press release said.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi kicks off a pastoral visit on Friday to Halifax, in eastern Canada, where he is expected to visit Montreal, Toronto, Cornwall and Ottawa, the National News Agency reported on Friday.

Rahi will chair the 5th Conference of Maronite Bishops and General Directors of Congregations. He will attend as well the inauguration of several churches.

Hizbullah said Thursday it had acquired "precision missiles" despite extensive efforts by neighbour and foe Israel to prevent the Shiite movement developing this capability.

"It has been done. The resistance now owns precision missiles" as part of its weaponry, Hizbullah chief Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised address during the key Shiite commemoration of Ashura.

In a first, FBI Director Christopher Wray will reportedly visit Lebanon after being appointed in his post following a confrontation with his predecessor James Comey, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Thursday.

The finishing touches on the trip of President Michel Aoun to New York where he is set to partake in the new session of United Nations General Assembly next week are being made, media reports said.