Gulf countries issue travel warnings for Lebanon

Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia issue warnings after escalation of protests that began over uncollected rubbish.

Protesters stand in front of a wall of concrete barriers erected by security forces on Monday to increase security near the government palace in Beirut
A protester was killed and at least 40 other people were hospitalised as the demonstrations turned violent [Reuters]

Three Gulf countries have issued warnings over travel to Lebanon after peaceful anti-government demonstrations in Beirut turned violent over the weekend.

Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia issued the warnings after protests that began over the country’s uncollected rubbish escalated into mass protests over perceived government corruption, and power and water shortages.

Lebanon protesters call of planned mass rally

Bahrain on Monday called on its citizens to leave Lebanon immediately and avoid travelling there in the near future “out of its keenness for their security and safety”.  

The Kuwaiti embassy called on its nationals to remain vigilant for their safety at all times. “Under the current critical circumstances, the Kuwaiti nationals in Lebanon are advised to cancel any unnecessary plans and leave,” it said in a statement.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry urged all Saudi citizens in Lebanon to exercise caution and to check in with the embassy.

A protester was killed and at least 40 other people were hospitalised as the demonstrations escalated and turned violent on Sunday.

Security forces fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon at demonstrators protesting against what they called Lebanon’s “political dysfunction”.

The “You Stink” protests started on Saturday over the government’s failure to remove rubbish but escalated into a platform for thousands of people from all walks of life to express their dissatisfaction with the government.

Sunday’s violence prompted the organisers to postpone a mass rally scheduled for Monday.

Source: Al Jazeera