Saudi Arabia, other Middle East countries warn citizens after protests erupt in Lebanon

Saudi Arabia, other Middle East countries warn citizens after protests erupt in Lebanon
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Protesters clash with police on the streets of Lebanon. (AP)
Saudi Arabia, other Middle East countries warn citizens after protests erupt in Lebanon
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A demonstrator wears a face mask as he walks near burning tires during a protest over deteriorating economic situation in Jdeideh, Lebanon October 18, 2019. (Reuters)
Updated 19 October 2019
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Saudi Arabia, other Middle East countries warn citizens after protests erupt in Lebanon

Saudi Arabia, other Middle East countries warn citizens after protests erupt in Lebanon
  • Saudi Arabia and Egypt called on citizens to avoid protest areas
  • Kuwait’s embassy in Lebanon asked citizens wishing to travel to Lebanon to postpone their plans

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Beirut on Friday warned its citizens not to travel to Lebanon, and called on Saudi nationals already in the country to avoid protest areas. 

The Kingdom’s embassy in Beirut advised its nationals to be extremely cautious and to “stay away from places of protest,” Al-Ekhbariya news channel reported. 

It also announced that the Lancaster Plaza Beirut hotel in the capital's Raouche neighborhood is a gathering point from which Saudi nationals can be transported to Beirut airport. 

Egypt’s embassy in the Lebanese capital Beirut also called on its nationals in the country to avoid protest areas, Egyptian state news agency MENA said.

“The embassy calls on all Egyptian citizens in Lebanon to avoid the areas of gatherings and protests, to be careful in their movements and to abide by the instructions of the Lebanese authorities in this regard,” MENA said.

Meanwhile, Kuwait’s embassy in Lebanon asked citizens wishing to travel to Lebanon to wait because of the current protests and unrest.

“The embassy also calls on citizens currently in Lebanon to take utmost care and stay away from crowds and demonstrations,” the embassy said in its tweet.

Bahrain warned against travel to Lebanon and called on its citizens in the country to leave immediately.  

Protesters across Lebanon blocked roads with burning tires on Friday and thousands marched in Beirut, calling on the government to resign over an economic crisis.