Republican U.S. Senator John McCain, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, on Friday held talks with Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, wrapping up a two-day visit to Lebanon.

After the meeting, McCain clarified that he was not referring to Lebanon when he mentioned Thursday the need to create a safe zone for the Syrian opposition, noting that Turkey or Jordan could provide such a haven.

President Michel Suleiman slammed on Friday the assassination attempt against MP Butros Harb, condemning the return of “such incidents that only serve to create instability in Lebanon.”

He said after meeting the lawmaker at the Baabda Palace: “The security and legal authorities have received strict orders to work on uncovering the details of the case in order to reveal the perpetrators.”

Israel is preparing to launch a devastating attack against Lebanon as the developments in Syria are one of the factors that could upset the calm, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Friday.

“This means carrying out a very strong attack against Lebanon, and the damage will be enormous," said a senior officer in the Northern Command of the 91st Division, which is responsible for the front with Lebanon.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati noted on Friday that the March 14 camp’s demand for the resignation of the government is not new, saying that they have been making this demand since its formation in 2011.

He said: “There are constitutional means to topple the government and we will continue our work until they are provided.”

French President Francois Hollande reiterated on Friday that his country will continue to defend Lebanon’s independence, sovereignty and unity of its territories.

“Our main concern is to preserve the stability (in Lebanon),” Hollande said in a cable sent to Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.

Ogero Telecom General Director Abdul Monem Youssef revealed on Friday that the internet services breakdown will last for not less than a week, while Telecommunications Minister Nicolas Sehnaoui promised that it will return to normal as of today.

“Ogero is working on finding an alternative to provide the citizens with internet service across the country until the malfunction is fixed,” Youssef told al-Liwaa newspaper.

Advanced technology that has never before been used was employed in the assassination attempt against MP Butros Harb, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Friday.

A security source told the newspaper that the explosive that was removed from the elevator shaft could have been placed in a manner that made it difficult to detect.

U.S. Senator John McCain arrived in Lebanon this week to hold talks with a number of officials on the Syrian crisis and its effect on Lebanon, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Friday.

Widely-informed sources told the newspaper that his trip is aimed at following up on Lebanese position on the crisis.

Speaker Nabih Berri said on Friday that the recent parliamentary boycott by the Christian MPs is a part of a scheme to target it and the constitution.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati urged on Friday the residents of Akkar to exercise restraint following their blocking of roads in protest against the release of three officers and eight soldiers linked to the death of Sheikhs Ahmed Abdul Wahed and Mohammed Merheb.

He revealed in a statement that he had contacted Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi on Thursday, requesting that he study the possibility of referring the case to the judicial council ahead of placing the issue at the cabinet agenda.