Syria rebel killed by Lebanese forces

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- The Lebanese military said Wednesday a member of the Syrian rebel group al-Nusra Front was killed after crossing a checkpoint in the east of the country.

The Lebanese military issued a statement, published by The Daily Star newspaper, saying soldiers "fired at the van carrying Syrian passengers after the driver would not heed orders to stop despite being warned several times and tried to evade [inspection]."

The driver of the van turned himself over to Lebanese authorities. The newspaper said he was a Syrian member of al-Nusra Front, an al-Qaida affiliated group fighting against pro-government forces in Syria, who was detained briefly in Lebanon earlier this year. Another member of the group was killed in the attack.

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman told the 68th session of the U.N. General Assembly his country needed support from its allies "to face the negative repercussions of the external conflicts."

Lebanon broke free of Syrian influence with its Cedar Revolution in 2005. Civil war in neighboring Syria has threatened to spill over its borders. The armed wing of Hezbollah this year admitted to fighting alongside pro-government forces in Syria.

Suleiman said one of the "major regional challenges" affecting his country are the repercussions of the Syrian crisis on Lebanon's security and economy."