Gunman neutralized after opening fire near US embassy in Beirut

The Lebanese army reported Wednesday morning that a Syrian national approached the US embassy in Beirut and opened fire.

The army confirmed that Lebanese army soldiers returned fire and injured him. The shooter was arrested and taken to hospital, and an investigation was opened into the incident.

According to Reuters According to the news agency, a member of the embassy security team was injured in the attack.

Lebanese media have published photos that appear to show a bloodied attacker wearing a black vest with the words “Islamic State” written in Arabic and the English initials “I” and “S.”

According to Associated Pressa Lebanese security official said there were four attackers, including one who led the gunmen to the site and three who opened fire.

According to AP, one shooter was killed, another escaped and the third was injured and arrested by the Lebanese army. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.

Local media reported that there was gunfire for almost half an hour by the US diplomatic mission.

The US Embassy in Beirut later issued a statement on the incident, saying “our facilities and our team are safe”, and thanked Lebanese security forces for their quick response.

A statement from the office of Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he had been informed of the event and that the situation is now stable. The Lebanese army said it had deployed troops around the embassy and surrounding areas.

The embassy is located in the suburb of Aukur, north of the capital. This is a highly secure area with several checkpoints along the path to the entrance. He was transferred there following a suicide attack in 1983 which left more than 60 dead.