A Lebanese soldier was killed at dawn Friday when assailants opened fire on a bus transporting troops on the Bireh road in the northern Akkar district, the army and the state-run National News Agency said.

The dead soldier was identified as Jamal Jean al-Hashem, who hails from the town of Qobayyat.

Following the attack on the army bus, the military deployed heavily in Akkar and erected checkpoints along the road of Halba and Qobayyat.

The army said in a communique that troops carried out raids in the area in search for the suspects. According to NNA, at least Syrians were arrested.

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