Tripoli, Lebanon: Gunmen ambushed the convoy of a Lebanese government minister in the northern city of Tripoli on Friday, wounding three people and riddling a security patrol car with bullets, medics and witnesses said.
Region | Lebanon
Lebanese minister escapes murder bid
One of the convoy’s patrol cars set ablaze
- Reuters
- Published: 16:00 January 18, 2013
- Image Credit: AFP
- Smoke billows from a burning car that burst into flames after gunmen opened fire on the convoy of a Lebanese minister in the northern city of Tripoli on Friday. Armed protesters demanding the release of Islamist prisoners opened fire on Youth and Sports Minister Faisal Karami's convoy, Lebanese media reported. Karami was not harmed, but three others were wounded.
The official, Minister of Sports and Youth Faisal Karami, appeared to be unhurt, the medics said.
A Reuters reporter said one of the convoy’s patrol cars was set ablaze.
The attack coincided with a weekly protest demanding the release of several Islamists detained in Lebanese prisons.
The port city of Tripoli has long been a stronghold of Sunni Islamists in northern Lebanon.
But the city has become increasingly volatile in recent months due to the civil war in neighbouring Syria, where the Sunni majority is leading a revolt against President Bashar Al Assad. Supporters of either side have clashed frequently, heightening fears that the war is spilling over into Lebanon.
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