Gunman attempts attack on US Embassy in Lebanon

Lebanese army forces turn back motorists near the US embassy in Beirut following the shootout attempt, on Wednesday. Pic/AFP

A gunman was captured by Lebanese soldiers after attempting to attack the US Embassy near Beirut on Wednesday, the military said.

A Lebanese security official told The Associated Press that there were four assailants, including one who drove the gunmen to the site and three who opened fire.

One shooter was killed, one escaped, and the third was wounded and detained by the Lebanese military. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not cleared to speak to the press.

Lebanon has accused Israel of using controversial white phosphorus rounds, in attacks authorities say have harmed civilians and the environment. Pic/AFP

The attack took place as tensions continued to simmer in the tiny Mediterranean country, where months of fighting between Hezbollah militants and Israeli troops has displaced thousands along the border, following years of political deadlock and economic hardship.

The Lebanese military in a statement said that soldiers shot an assailant, who they only described as a Syrian national. The gunman was wounded and taken to a hospital.

The shooters' motives were not clear. However, Lebanese media published photos showing a bloodied attacker wearing a black vest with the words "Islamic State" written in Arabic and the English initials ‘I' and ‘S'. Local media reported that there was a gunfight for almost half an hour by the US diplomatic mission in the suburb of Aukar, north of Beirut.

‘Israel hit buildings with white powder'

A global human rights group claimed that Israel has used white phosphorus incendiary shells on residential buildings in at least five towns and villages in conflict-hit southern Lebanon, possibly harming civilians and violating international law, in a report published on Wednesday. Human Rights Watch said in its report that there was no evidence of burn injuries due to white phosphorus in Lebanon, but that researchers had "heard accounts indicating possible respiratory damage". Human rights advocates say it's a crime under international law to fire the controversial munitions into populated areas. Israel maintains it uses the white phosphorus only as a smokescreen and not to target civilians. The white-hot chemical substance can set buildings on fire and burn human flesh down to the bone. Survivors are at risk of infections and organ or respiratory failure.

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