Lebanese farmer shot dead by Syrian gunmen on Syrian-Lebanese border

Syrian gunmen have shot dead a Lebanese farmer in what appeared to be land dispute along the border between the two countries, Lebanese security officials said Monday.

Gunmen from the Syrian village of Flita crossed into Lebanon late Sunday and opened fire on farmers working in fields near the northeastern village of Aarsal, the officials said. Khaled Breidi, 40, was killed immediately.

Relatives and friends of Breidi, a father of eight, buried him Monday in Aarsal, where villagers have condemned the incident, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to give statements to the media.

The motive for the shooting was not clear, but the officials reported a long running dispute over land ownership between citizens of Flita and Aarsal, which lies about 90 kilometers (56 miles) northeast of Baalbek, the principal city in east Lebanon, informs the AP. I.L.