Syrian attacked US embassy in Beirut ‘in support of Gaza’: justice official

A Syrian man was arrested on Wednesday after a shooting near the US embassy in Beirut. A judicial official said the attacker carried out the attack “in support of Gaza”.

The embassy in the northern suburb of the capital, Awkar, was “fired upon by a person of Syrian nationality,” the army said on X (formerly Twitter).

“Army personnel stationed in the area responded to the fires and injured the shooter,” the statement said. “He was arrested and taken to hospital.”

The US Embassy said on X that “small arms fire was reported near the entrance” and that “thanks to the rapid response” of the Lebanese army, security forces “and our embassy security team, our facility and our team are safe.”

The magistrate said AFP The seriously injured gunman said he carried out the attack “in support of the Gaza Strip,” where Israel has launched a military offensive since October 7, killing more than 36,000 people – mostly women and children.

The shooter’s brother, who lives in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley in the east of the country, was also arrested, the official added, requesting anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

In a separate statement, the embassy said it would remain closed to the public for the rest of the day, “but will be open for general business as usual on Thursday.”

A AFP A photographer said access to the area around the embassy was blocked and numerous soldiers were stationed nearby.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati spoke to army and security officials who assured him that “the situation is under control,” his office said in a statement.

“Investigations are ongoing to clarify the circumstances of the incident and to arrest all those involved,” the statement said. In addition, US Ambassador Lisa Johnson is currently outside Lebanon.

In September last year, a gunman opened fire on the US embassy without causing any casualties.

Lebanese police claimed the shooter was a delivery driver seeking revenge for humiliation by security personnel.

The shooting coincided with the anniversary of the deadly car bombing outside the US embassy annex in Beirut in 1984, which the US blamed on Hezbollah.

During the civil war from 1975 to 1990, US diplomatic and military missions in Lebanon were attacked several times. The fighters also took several US prisoners.

The embassy was moved to Awkar after a suicide bombing in April 1983 that killed 63 people.