Foreign Ministry awaits full report on Claudia's death

The Foreign Ministry and Malaysian embassy in Lebanon are awaiting the full report from the Lebanese authorities on the death of Malaysian journalist Claudia Theophilus, 42.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said the preliminary report from the Lebanese police stated that her death was caused by an accident while handling firearms.

"The case is currently under investigation by the Lebanese police and the family of the deceased has been informed of the incident," he said in a statement, here, Sunday.

Theophilus, a news reporter for Al-Jazeera based in Doha, Qatar was reported dead by the Lebanese police on Saturday at 2.30am Lebanon time.

According to media reports, the deceased was believed to be on a three-day visit to Baakleen, Lebanon with two friends who are citizens of the country.

Anifah said the ministry would extend their full cooperation in the investigation, besides providing the necessary consular services to the deceased's family.

In a separate statement, Malaysia condemned the bombing on the American embassy in Ankara, Turkey on Friday which killed a Turkish security personnel. Also killed was the suspect in the attack.

Anifah conveyed Malaysia's condolences to the family of the dead victim and sympathy to those injured in the explosion.