The State Department said Wednesday that the suspect who opened fire at the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon early today was wearing “what appears to be ISIS insignia.”
“One local embassy security officer was seriously injured,” spokesman Matthew Miller said, adding that a gunman had been arrested in the attack, which took place in Beirut at about 8:30 a.m. local time.
“We are aware that the individual arrested was wearing what appears to be ISIS insignia, but we are conducting a thorough investigation together with Lebanese authorities to determine the actual motive,” Miller said at a news conference.
“Small arms fire was reported near the entrance to the U.S. Embassy,” the embassy said in a statement. “Thanks to the swift response of host country security forces and the embassy security team, the embassy and staff are safe.”
Attack on US Embassy in Lebanon thwarted, perpetrator arrested after gunfight
A Lebanese special forces vehicle patrols the road leading to the U.S. Embassy in Awkar, a northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Wednesday, June 5. (AP/Bilal Hussein)
“The embassy will be closed to the public for the remainder of today, June 5, but will resume normal public operations from tomorrow, June 6,” it added.
Netanyahu says Israel is ‘prepared to take very strong action’ against Iran-backed Hezbollah amid rising tensions
A panoramic view of part of the U.S. Embassy grounds in Awkar, a northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Wednesday, June 5. (AP/Bilal Hussein)
The embassy encouraged US citizens in Lebanon to monitor Travel.State.Gov “closely monitor alerts and news for the latest developments that may affect national security.”
“As advised in the Lebanon travel advisory, U.S. citizens should avoid traveling to the Lebanon-Israel border area, the Lebanon-Syria border area, and refugee population areas,” the department said. “They should avoid demonstrations throughout Lebanon and exercise caution near sites of large gatherings or protests.”
Lebanese security forces guard the roads leading to the US Embassy. (Associated Press)
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The shooting came after repeated cross-border skirmishes between US ally Israel and Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah.
Fox News’ Landon Mion and Daniel Wallace contributed to this report.
