The Lebanese army has arrested a gunman who opened fire on the US Embassy in Beirut after he was injured in the return fire.

Witnesses reported that the gunfight lasted nearly half an hour, and the Lebanese Army cordoned off the area around the US embassy in Awkar this morning after it came under gunfire attack by assailants.

 

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The attack occurred on Wednesday morning and was carried out by a Syrian national, according to the Lebanese military.

The assailant, who was wounded during the exchange with soldiers, was arrested and taken to the hospital. In a statement on X, the army confirmed the attacker was a Syrian national and that an investigation is underway.

تعرضت السفارة الأميركية في لبنان في منطقة عوكر إلى إطلاق نار من قبل شخص يحمل الجنسية السورية، فردّ عناصر الجيش المنتشرون في المنطقة على مصادر النيران ما أسفر عن إصابة مطلق النار، وتم توقيفه ونقله إلى أحد المستشفيات للمعالجة. تجري المتابعة لتحديد ملابسات الحادثة.#الجيش_اللبناني… pic.twitter.com/WQupdSz8ZY

— الجيش اللبناني (@LebarmyOfficial) June 5, 2024

The US Embassy confirmed that the attack at the embassy entrance did not result in any casualties among their staff. They praised the quick response from Lebanese troops and embassy security.

It added, “Investigations are underway, and we are in close contact with the host country’s law enforcement.”

At 8:34 a.m. local time, small arms fire was reported in the vicinity of the entrance to the U.S. Embassy. Thanks to the quick reaction of the LAF, ISF, and our Embassy security team, our facility and our team are safe. Investigations are underway and we are in close contact…

— U.S. Embassy Beirut (@usembassybeirut) June 5, 2024