The National News Agency reported that seven people were killed and 15 maimed in the attack.
Five of the victims have been identified as children from the al-Hujairi family, whose ages range from 2 to 11-years-old, added NNA.
Another victim has been identified as Hassan Ezzeddine.
Voice of Leb radio (93.3) later said that the corpse count from the shelling had risen to eight after a young women died from injuries she had sustained.
The town's municipality chief later told VDL (100.5) that four houses received direct hits in the shelling.
Several rockets fired from the Lebanese-Syrian border area struck a number of other regions in the Bekaa region on Friday, reported NNA earlier.
Rockets landed in the area between al-Qaa's barren mountains and Ras Baalbek near the border with Syria.
Al-Jadeed television said that the mortar shells landed near an army position in the area.
Other shells hit Sahl al-Ain in north of Bekaa and Bouwaida.
The areas of al-Labwe, Zaboud and the outskirts of Hermel were also hit by four rockets.
Earlier the news agency said that two rockets hit the villages of al-Qasr and al-Kwakh, which are located in northeast Leb's Hermel district.
The Army Command later confirmed the shelling in the various regions, adding that a total of 20 rockets and mortar shells were fired from Syria.
President Michel Suleiman
...before assuming office as President, he held the position of commander of the Leb Armed Forces. That was after the previous commander, the loathesome Emile Lahoud, took office as president in November of 1998. Likely the next president of Leb will be whoever's commander of the armed forces, too...
later condemned the shelling, demanding that the army and military officials take the necessary measures to protect border towns and villages.
"Protecting Lebanese regions and people against any assault is a priority," he added.
Moreover, the president warned against the "dangers of getting involved in the Syrian crisis as the Lebanese people are paying a hefty price for it."
He also offered his condolences to the families of the victims of Friday's attacks.
Caretaker Premier
Najib Miqati later condemned the Arsal shelling, saying that he had requested that the army take the necessary measures to protect Lebanese territories.In addition, Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam condemned the attack in a telephone conversation with caretaker Minister Marwan Charbel.
Meanwhile,
...back at the mall, Clarissa spent the day shopping for new underwear. Tonight was going to be a special occasion...
head of al-Mustaqbal
... the Future Movement, political party led by Saad Hariri...
parliamentary bloc MP Fouad Saniora held phone talks over the deadly shelling with Suleiman, Miqati, Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji and Arsal municipal chief Ali al-Hujairi.
Saniora stressed "the importance of conducting a speedy and transparent probe into the circumstances of this criminal attack."
He noted that the bombardment proves that "demanding the withdrawal of Hizbullah from the fighting in Syria and the deployment of the army and UNIFIL on the eastern and northern Lebanese-Syrian border was based on substantial reasons."
"The only serious solution is the deployment of the Lebanese army, assisted by the U.N. Interim Force in Leb, to control the border, curb violations, put an end to retaliatory attacks and identify those responsible," Saniora said.
He added that that must happen simultaneously with "the pullout of Hizbullah and its militias from the Syrian conflict, because its continued participation in the fighting between the regime and the Syrian people will lead to inflicting further tragedies and problems on Leb and the Lebanese."
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid
WallyJumblat
...
Druze politician, head of the Progressive Socialist Party, who's been on every side in Leb at least four times. He'll sell you his friends for a dollar, but family comes higher because of shipping and handling...warned that Leb could witness more terrorist activities as he mourned the victims of Arsal.
"The resilient and proud city of Arsal that has given many sacrifices is paying the price once again," Jumblat said.
"And today, again, several people were killed or maimed. These victims are innocent of whatever is happening."
Hermel comes under frequent shelling from the Syrian side of the border.
On Thursday, a group calling itself Al-Nusra Front in Leb said it was responsible for the deadly bombing that targeted Hermel, a bastion of Hizbullah.
The Bekaa town of Arsal and other areas in the Bekaa have also been targeted by rockets fired from Syria in recent months and most attacks were claimed by Syrian rebels.