A 43-year-old Lebanese national became the fourth person to be shot dead in Athens in the last four days when he was gunned down while riding a motorcycle in the southern suburb of Palaio Faliron.

Police said that the unnamed victim was shot dead at 11.20 a.m. by two men riding another motorcycle. Officers found eight bullet casings at the scene of the shooting. The 43-year-old died while he was being taken to the hospital.

Sources said that victim was known to the police as he had been arrested for drug-related offenses in the past. As a result, officers believe that the killing was a gangland hit. The two suspects sped off after the incident and police were still searching for them last night.

Police chiefs have been alarmed by a sudden rise in the number of shootings and violent crimes in the capital over the last few weeks.