Malaysian journalist killed in Lebanon

Malaysian journalist Claudia Theophilus, a producer with Al-Jazeera based in Doha, Qatar was killed when she was struck by a stray bullet at Baakleen, located in a mountainous area in Lebanon yesterday.

According to media reports, the 42-year-old victim who had previously worked with The Sun and news portal Malaysiakini, sustained the gunshot wound while she and her colleagues were playing with several guns.

Theophilus died on the spot about 2.30am local time.

Malaysian Ambassador in Lebanon, Ilango Karuppannan, said an initial police report did not indicate any criminal element in the incident.

Contacted by Bernama today, he said Theophilus' body would be sent home after forensic and post-mortem procedures were carried out.

Karuppannan said the journalist was visiting Baakleen with two Lebanese colleagues at the time of the incident.

Media reports said, the victim had arrived in Lebanon on Jan 28, to visit friends.