US ambassador offers condolences for killed Lebanese soldiers

Two officers as well as a terror suspect were killed in the clash US ambassador to Lebanon, Maura Connelly, offered her condolences to the country's army on Monday following the death of two soldiers in Arsal."The soldiers killed and injured were engaged in a fight against violent extremists. The ambassador stresses US and Lebanon's commitment to bring an end to this struggle," the American embassy said in a communiqué.
The embassy added that the United States remains committed to strengthening the capacity of the Lebanese army "in securing Lebanon's borders and defending the sovereignty and independence of the state."
The clash erupted as the army targeted a suspect wanted on terrorism charges.
Two officers, Pierre Bashaalani and Ibrahim Zahraman, as well as the suspect, Khaled Hamayed, were killed in the incident.
Local witnesses said the army were bolstering their presence in the Bekaa town of Arsal by deploying checkpoints on all entrances of the town.
Meanwhile, the army command on Monday urged all Lebanese citizens to "refrain from blocking roads and staging sit-ins." Protesters took to the streets in several regions on Sunday and Monday to express solidarity with the army, following the attack.
Shortly after the army issued its statement, media reports said that a number of young men blocked the Batroun highway, burning tyres and firing gun shots in the area. Protesters also blocked Tabarja highway in Keserouan and Furzol road in Bekaa.
Former prime minister Saad Hariri offered his condolences to the families of the two Lebanese officers killed in Arsal.
The head of the Future Movement called the families of Captain Bashaalani and Sergeant Zahraman "to express his full solidarity," according to a statement from his office.