Shots fired outside US embassy in Lebanon, spokesman says
"At 10:37 PM local time (Wednesday), small arms fire was reported in the vicinity of the entrance to the U.S. Embassy. There were no injuries, and our facility is safe. We are in close contact with host country law enforcement authorities," Embassy spokesperson Jake Nelson said in a statement.
- Middle East
- DPA
- Published Date: 12:41 | 21 September 2023
- Modified Date: 12:41 | 21 September 2023
Shots were fired outside the heavily guarded Embassy of the United States in Lebanon, though there were no casualties, a US embassy spokesman said on Thursday.
"At 10:37 PM local time (Wednesday), small arms fire was reported in the vicinity of the entrance to the U.S. Embassy. There were no injuries, and our facility is safe. We are in close contact with host country law enforcement authorities," Embassy spokesperson Jake Nelson said in a statement.
"We are in close contact with host country law enforcement authorities," he added.
The US embassy is located in Awkar, a suburb north of the capital Beirut.
Local media reported that an unknown gunman carrying a machinegun fired at the embassy entrance.
The US embassy in April marked the 40th anniversary of the 1983 bombing of the US Embassy in Beirut, in which a suicide bomber attacked the embassy, killing 63, including 52 Lebanese and American employees.