The Bekaa region where Dr Sukkariyeh was attacked Beirut – Georges Chahine A medic was shot in the back while trying to escape an abduction attempt in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon on Sunday, the National News Agency [NNA] reported. According to an Internal Security Forces report, Dr Mustafa Sukkariyeh was driving towards northern Bekaa when a group of unknown gunmen intercepted him at the entrance to the town of Shaath, attempting to kidnap him. Sukkariyeh then got out of his car in an attempt to escape when the gunmen shot him in the back and fled the scene. The victim was transferred to the Dar al-Hekmeh hospital in Baalbek, where he is currently in a critical condition. Preliminary investigations revealed Dr Sukkariyeh has recently been involved in a campaign to combat counterfeit medicine in the region, working independently of major parties. The doctor’s work has allegedly put him in conflict with gangs in the area.