ALBAWABA - Lebanese authorities arrested a gunman who fired a single shot at an iron door in the entrance of a bank in south Lebanon in an attempt to force himself into the financial institution.
Naharnet said the man was unable to access Bloom Bank in the port city of Sida and remained at the door asking to be allowed in after firing his gun. It identified the gunman as a member of the Lebanese Army, noting that he was subsequently arrested.
An armed depositor has stormed the Banque Libano-Française in Nabatieh, the Lebanese Depositors Association sa... https://t.co/V6ggLnloJZ
— Naharnet (@Naharnet) January 10, 2023
Sputnik broadcast a video of the incident on its Telegram channel.
Naharnet said man was a bank depositor who became enraged when the bank refused to sell him foreign currency at a low rate.
LEBANON -- Man tried to take his own money from bank to pay for a lifesaving operation for his dad. Bank denied his request due to banking crisis. So he came back with a gun and is now holding it up. Protesters have gathered outside in support of the man. pic.twitter.com/MyKlSKYTrN
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) August 11, 2022
Lebanon is reeling under a serious financial crisis and a lack of liquidity. Lebanon-based banks imposed severe restrictions on the amounts people can withdraw from their own accounts.
Last year, 27 bank hold ups across the country were recorded. In some of the incidents, depositors resorted to armed attacks to withdraw money.
