Fugitive Wounded after Firing at Arsal Army Checkpoint

A man was shot and wounded Sunday after crossing an army checkpoint in the Bekaa border town of Arsal and opening fire at troops.

“Driving a pickup carrying foreign license plates, Kamal Ezzeddine crossed a Lebanese Army checkpoint in the Arsal region and opened fire at its members, who responded in kind,” the army said in a communique.

It noted that the man was wounded and rushed to a hospital in the area for treatment.

“The used assault weapon and a quantity of military equipment and ammunition were seized while a probe was launched under the supervision of the relevant judicial authorities,” the army added.

It pointed out that Ezzeddine was wanted on two arrest warrants on charges of dealing forcibly with army troops.

The incident comes as army troops and security forces continue to implement an unprecedented security plan adopted by the cabinet to end the state of chaos in the North and the Bekaa.

Security forces have been cracking down on gunmen, jihadist extremists, car theft gangs and other outlaws.

The plan has resulted so far in the arrest of dozens of fugitives.

Y.R.