Grand Mufti Sheik Mohammed Rashid Qabbani was quoted Thursday as saying Hizbullah should apologize for the "misdeed" committed against Lebanon and Beirut.

Such an apology by Hizbullah is the key to reconciliation, MP Mohammed Hajjar quoted the Mufti as saying in a meeting.

The Mufti, Hajjar added, emphasized on his call for the withdrawal of gunmen from Beirut, which should be protected only by the Lebanese Army and security forces.