Armed Depositor Takes Dozens Hostage at Bekaa Bank

A depositor armed with an assault weapon and a hand grenade took dozens of employees and clients hostage at a Jeb Jannine bank on Tuesday, the National News Agency said.

The agency said the man made the move after the bank “refused to hand him his money.”

“The citizen, from the West Bekaa town of Kefraya, demanded that he withdraw $50,000 from his account, and when his request was declined, he brandished an assault weapon and a hand grenade in the face of the employees,” NNA added.

“He also poured gasoline across the bank, threatening to torch it and blow it up should his demand be ignored,” the agency said.

Security forces meanwhile tryied to "resolve the issue peacefully and through negotiations to preserve everyone's safety," NNA added.

Al-Jadeed TV later reported that the depositor "turned himself in to security forces after receiving the sum of money he had demanded."