US embassy in Lebanon 'not intimidated' by shots fired towards it

"Please know that we at the US embassy are not intimidated by this incident, and our security protocols are very strong and our partnerships are ironclad," US Ambassador Dorothy Shea said.

 Dorothy Shea, US ambassador to Lebanon (photo credit: PICRYL)
Dorothy Shea, US ambassador to Lebanon
(photo credit: PICRYL)

US ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea on Friday said the embassy was "not intimidated" by a gunman's shots towards its entrance earlier this week and that Lebanese authorities were investigating the incident.

Late Wednesday, shots were fired near the US embassy north of Beirut. Embassy spokesperson Jake Nelson said no one had been hurt and normal business operations were ongoing.

"We know that authorities are investigating this incident, whereby a gunman fired shots toward the US embassy the other night," US ambassador Dorothy Shea said on Friday after meeting Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati.

Ambassador "not intimidated"

"Please know that we at the US embassy are not intimidated by this incident, and our security protocols are very strong and our partnerships are ironclad," she said.

Mikati also condemned what he described as an "attack on the American embassy." There was no claim of responsibility for the gunfire and authorities have not provided details on the investigation.

 Dorothy Shea, US ambassador to Lebanon, meets with Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, in Beirut, Lebanon, in this handout released on September 22, 2023. (credit: DALATI NOHRA/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)
Dorothy Shea, US ambassador to Lebanon, meets with Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, in Beirut, Lebanon, in this handout released on September 22, 2023. (credit: DALATI NOHRA/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

The highly secured US embassy lies north of Beirut in the town of Awkar. Security incidents around it are rare. The embassy moved there from Beirut following a suicide attack in 1983 which killed more than 60 people.