Lebanese singer Walid Tawfiq has refused to comment on a public attack on him by fellow star Melhem Barakat, stressing the singer is a “very close friend and colleague.” Barakat had said Tawfiq had a “salty tongue.” Lebanon’s Tawfiq revealed he had spent “years of misery” in Syria alongside his colleague, while they were both singing there. The singer is preparing to launch a new album, set for release in the summer, with collaborations with a range of Lebanese and Arab musicians.