Lebanon investigates shooting incident near US Embassy
In a rare incident, an unknown assailant reportedly fired shots near entrance to the US embassy outside Beirut.
BEIRUT — Lebanon’s security agencies opened an investigation Thursday into a late-night shooting on Wednesday outside the US embassy, according to US and Lebanese officials.
"At 10:37 p.m. local time, small arms fire was reported in the vicinity of the entrance to the US embassy,” Jake Nelson, an embassy spokesperson, confirmed in a press statement. “There were no injuries, and our facility is safe.”
Nelson added, “We are in close contact with host country law enforcement authorities.” The embassy is located in the town of Awkar, north of Beirut in the Metn district.
A Lebanese official speaking on condition of anonymity told the Associated Press that local security agencies had launched an investigation into the incident, including analyzing security cameras. He added that the Lebanese army had quickly deployed in the area and taken the necessary security measures following the shooting.
