Friday, March 29, 2024

Baghdad

Iraq’s ambassador to Lebanon fires RPG rocket with armed group

 Iraq’s ambassador to Lebanon fires RPG rocket with armed group

The Iraqi ambassador to Lebanon Haider Al-Barrak in the middle of an armed group. Photo: Russia Today

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi ambassador to Lebanon, Haider Al-Barrak, appeared in the middle of an armed group during his visit to a Lebanese village, according to Russia Today news.

According to activists, Barrak visited a Lebanese village and appeared in the middle of an armed group, and fired a RPG7 rocket.

After photos of Barrak with the armed group went viral and stirred up controversy, Barrak issued an explanatory statement.

“I accepted the invitation of leaders of tribes in Bekaa governorate in eastern Lebanon, and firing a RPG7 rocket is one of their customs,” according to Barrak explanatory statement.

Firearm sales have risen in Lebanon threefold since the financial crisis began in 2019, even though the dollar value of the minimum wage has dropped to just 25 US dollar per month, according to The National.  

People in Lebanon have been rushing to buy weapons on the black market in the past year as the struggling state fails to prevent rising crime and political violence, The National added.