Syrian Shelling on Akkar Towns Renews as Miqati Asks Army to 'Adopt Necessary Procedures'

Shelling from Syria on northern Lebanese towns renewed on Saturday evening, creating a tensed atmosphere among the residents of border regions.

"A tensed atmosphere prevailed in border regions after shells and gunshots coming from Syrian territories hit the outskirts of al-Noura, Hikr Janine and Qashlaq towns in (the northern border city of) Akkar,” the state-run National News Agency reported.

The NNA remarked that gunshots even hit the highway linking al-Abboudiyeh border crossing to the village of Menjez.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati released a statement after Saturday's security developments on the border, revealing that he contacted the Army Commander in this respect.

"We asked for adopting all necessary procedures to deal with this situation,” the statement said.

"We reject any attack targeting Lebanese towns and against Lebanese citizens,” the caretaker premier stressed.

A Syrian identified as Hisham Khaled Ahmed was reportedly killed while two other Lebanese Mahmoud Ahmed Ramadan and Jamila Assaf were injured in a shelling that targeted the northern Mashta Hammoud town on Friday.

Also on Friday, a gunfire exchange took place between troops and gunmen on the border, leading eventually to the withdrawal of these armed groups.

Since the Syrian crisis broke out in March 2011, border areas in northern and eastern Lebanon have been struck by frequent cross-border shelling and clashes which have left several people dead and scores other wounded.