Gunman captured after shootout outside US Embassy in Beirut

A gunman has been captured in the wake of a shootout outside the U.S. embassy in Beirut, according to The Associated Press.

“The US Embassy in Lebanon in the Awkar area was exposed to gunfire by a person holding Syrian nationality,” the Lebanese Army said in Arabic in a Wednesday post on the social platform X. 

“Army members deployed in the area responded to the sources of fire, wounding the shooter. He was arrested and transferred to a hospital for treatment. Follow-up is underway to determine the circumstances of the incident,” the post continues.

The U.S. embassy in Beirut said Wednesday morning that “small arms fire was reported in the vicinity of the entrance to the U.S. Embassy” in a security alert on its website. 

“Thanks to the quick reaction of host country security forces and our Embassy security team, our facility and our team are safe,” the embassy said in the alert. “Investigations are underway and we are in close contact with host country law enforcement.

“The Embassy will remain closed to the public for the rest of today, June 5, but plans to be open for general business as usual tomorrow, June 6,” the embassy continued.

According to the AP, local media reported that a gunfight occurred, lasting around half an hour and including at least a single attacker. There wasn’t an immediately discernible motive. However, Lebanese media have published photos seemingly showing an attacker with a black vest on featuring the words “Islamic State” on it in Arabic and the letters “I” and “S” on it.