The Lebanese Army said a Syrian passenger died of a gunshot wound after troops fired warning shots at a vehicle whose driver tried to run over personnel at an Arsal observation post Nov. 4.
The Army said the vehicle carried 12 Syrians and crossed from Syria into Lebanon through an unauthorized route. Its windows obscured visibility, and it had no license plates. Three other passengers were injured by shattered glass, while the driver left the vehicle and escaped, the Army said.
The unit was carrying out border-security measures aimed at preventing smuggling, the Army said. The National has reported that people, goods and narcotics continue to be smuggled along the porous border despite security efforts. It has also reported that the Army regularly publicizes arrests of Syrians for unauthorized entry, while shootings involving troops are uncommon.
The Army said an investigation had begun under judicial supervision and that efforts were underway to arrest the driver.
