The incident took place in the Bekaa Valley town of Majdel-Anjar in eastern Lebanon, said the official who did not indicate why the suspect was wanted by the authorities.

The suspect threw four hand grenades at troops who raided his hide-out and managed to flee, the official said.

A hospital official said that the officer was hit in the head while the soldier sustained a leg injury. They were both in stable condition.

© 2008 Agence France-Presse