1 Syrian Killed, Several Policemen Injured in Arsal Clash
A border clash between Lebanese security forces and a group of armed men crossing illegally into eastern Lebanon, left one dead, a security source and the National News Agency reported Thursday.
At 5:15 am a group of armed men drove their pick-up truck across the Syrian-Lebanese border near the town of Arsal in the eastern Bekaa valley, sparking a firefight, the official told Agence France Presse.
One of the Syrian men died from his wounds after being injured in the clash, while another 10 men were also wounded, the official added, noting that an unspecified number of the wounded were members of the Internal Security Forces.
NNA said the clash occurred after the ISF members at the Wadi Hmeid checkpoint in Arsal asked the gunmen to take the authorization of the police command before transferring an injured man to a hospital in Lebanon.
But those on board the truck refused to abide by the orders of the policemen and assaulted 12 of them, NNA said.
It added that the injured Syrian man later died in hospital.
The conflicting reports came after Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) said the Lebanese army sent reinforcements to Arsal to search for supporters of the municipal chief who had assaulted the policemen in Wadi Hmeid.
The army took measures to arrest the supporters of Ali al-Hujairi after they attacked the ISF checkpoint, causing bruises to three of them, VDL added.
According to VDL (93.3), the policemen were injured in the fighting that pitted Arsal residents and members of the rebel Free Syrian Army against the security forces over the transfer of the injured Syrian opposition fighter to Lebanon.
Arsal residents have been aiding Syrian refugees crossing into Lebanon and the town has become an escape route for families fleeing the fighting in their country.
Several people have been killed and injured in Arsal in the past months after infiltration by Syrian troops and clashes.
Source: Agence France Presse, Naharnet
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