Thursday, November 21, 2013

Saudi Arabia Urges Citizens to Leave Lebanon


AL JAZEERA: Announcement comes amid heightened risk of political violence in the country, as Syria war spillover heightens tensions.

Saudi Arabia has asked its citizens to leave Lebanon due to the risk of political violence in the country, where twin suicide bombings near Iran's embassy in Beirut killed 25 people this week.

Riyadh has issued several similar calls in the past two years as the civil war in Syria has inflamed political and sectarian tension in neighbouring Lebanon.

"Saudi ambassador Ali Awadh al-Asseiri said on Thursday...that the embassy urged Saudi nationals to leave Lebanon, considering the alarming security situation," the Lebanese National News Agency reported, citing a phone call with Asseiri.

A Lebanon-based Sunni armed group close to al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility. » | Source: Agencies | Thursday, November 21, 2013