The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned its citizens on Sunday evening against traveling to Lebanon, urging Saudi nationals currently in the country to exercise caution and avoid gathering spots.
The official Saudi Press Agency reported that "given the current security events occurring in the Republic of Lebanon, and based on the decision of the Ministry of Interior to prohibit the direct and indirect travel of citizens to several countries without obtaining prior permission from the concerned authorities, including Lebanon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to alert all esteemed citizens to follow the instructions issued by the relevant authorities in this regard and not to travel to Lebanon especially under the current circumstances the country is facing."
The ministry added in its statement that it wishes "for all citizens present in the Republic of Lebanon to take precautions and avoid gathering places as they pose a danger to the safety and security of esteemed citizens."
The agency published several numbers for Saudis to contact designated authorities. Beirut has been shaken by violent incidents in recent days that included scenes of panic and gunfire reminiscent of the years of civil war.
It is not yet known who the parties or individuals involved in the gunfire are, but security reports mentioned the presence of snipers and the use of machine guns and rockets in an area that was a frontline during the civil war (1975-1990).
Seven people have been killed in the violence, including three members of Hezbollah, one of whom died on Friday from his injuries, three members of the Amal Movement, in addition to a woman who was shot in the head while in her home. A further 32 others sustained injuries.
The violence erupted during a demonstration by supporters of Hezbollah and Amal calling for the resignation of the judicial investigator in the Beirut port explosion case, Judge Tarek Bitar. Hezbollah accused the Lebanese Forces party of being behind the gunfire, which the latter denied.
