Armed Men Attack US Embassy In Lebanon

UNSPLASH/Chris Kursikowski ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - A gunman was arrested by Lebanese soldiers after a shootout outside the US Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon.

The Lebanese military said in a statement that soldiers shot an attacker, which they described as a Syrian citizen. The gunman was injured and taken to hospital, Wednesday, June 5.

The motive for the shooting was unclear. However, Lebanese media has published photos showing an attacker covered in blood wearing a black vest with the words Islamic state' in Arabic, reported by AP.

Local media reported that there was a shootout involving at least one attacker that lasted nearly half an hour.

A video showing on social media shows an armed man in a parking lot across the entrance of the embassy shooting with what looks like an assault rifle.

The attack comes as tensions continue to escalate in small Mediterranean countries, the months-long battle between the Hezbollah militants and Israeli forces has left thousands of people displaced along the border, following political stalemate and economic difficulties over the years.