Lebanon Assures Arab Countries of Security in Wake of Saudi, Kuwaiti Travel Warnings

Empty ammunition casings litter the ground at the Ain el-Hilweh camp in Lebanon's southern coastal city of Sidon, on August 4, 2023, following the latest flare-up in the camp for Palestinian refugees. (AFP)
Empty ammunition casings litter the ground at the Ain el-Hilweh camp in Lebanon's southern coastal city of Sidon, on August 4, 2023, following the latest flare-up in the camp for Palestinian refugees. (AFP)
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Lebanon Assures Arab Countries of Security in Wake of Saudi, Kuwaiti Travel Warnings

Empty ammunition casings litter the ground at the Ain el-Hilweh camp in Lebanon's southern coastal city of Sidon, on August 4, 2023, following the latest flare-up in the camp for Palestinian refugees. (AFP)
Empty ammunition casings litter the ground at the Ain el-Hilweh camp in Lebanon's southern coastal city of Sidon, on August 4, 2023, following the latest flare-up in the camp for Palestinian refugees. (AFP)

The Lebanese caretaker government has sought security and diplomatic assurances of the safety of the country in wake of Saudi and Kuwaiti travel warnings.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati tasked Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib and Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi with assuring Arab countries and their citizens that the necessary measures have been taken to ensure safety and security.

Saudi Arabia called on its citizens to quickly leave Lebanese territory and to avoid approaching areas where there have been armed clashes, the Saudi embassy in Lebanon said in a statement late on Friday.

The embassy stressed "the importance of adhering to the Saudi travel ban to Lebanon," the statement added.

On Aug. 1, the United Kingdom also updated its travel advice for Lebanon, advising against "all but essential travel" to parts of Lebanon’s south near the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh.

At least 13 people, most of them militants, were killed in fighting that broke out in the camp on July 29, security sources in the camp said.

Kuwait also issued an advisory early on Saturday calling on Kuwaitis in Lebanon to stay vigilant and avoid "areas of security disturbances.”

The Lebanese government scrambled to contain the fallout and avoid damage to the country’s most promising tourist season in 13 years.

After meeting with Bou Habib, Mawlawi and military and security officials, the government said the security situation was not a cause for alarm or panic.

Contacts to contain the situation in Ain el-Hilweh have “come a long way”, it added.

“Efforts are underway to prevent attempts at destabilizing security or harming citizens, residents or tourists,” it stated.

Mikati tasked Bou Habib with contacting “Arab brothers to assure them about the safety of their citizens in Lebanon.”

He called on Mawlawi to call the central security council to discuss the challenges facing Lebanon in wake of regional tensions and to take the necessary measures to preserve security throughout the country.

Meanwhile, Germany denied that it had advised its citizens against traveling to Lebanon.



First Saudi Relief Plane Arrives in Syria to Aid Fire-affected Syrians in Latakia

This marks the 17th aircraft in the Saudi air bridge initiative, with this flight being the first dedicated to supporting the Syrian people - SPA
This marks the 17th aircraft in the Saudi air bridge initiative, with this flight being the first dedicated to supporting the Syrian people - SPA
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First Saudi Relief Plane Arrives in Syria to Aid Fire-affected Syrians in Latakia

This marks the 17th aircraft in the Saudi air bridge initiative, with this flight being the first dedicated to supporting the Syrian people - SPA
This marks the 17th aircraft in the Saudi air bridge initiative, with this flight being the first dedicated to supporting the Syrian people - SPA

The first Saudi relief plane landed at Aleppo International Airport in Syria, carrying urgent relief aid, including shelter materials for those affected by wildfires in Latakia Governorate. This aircraft marks the beginning of the Saudi air bridge operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense.

In a statement to the SPA, Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSrelief Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah noted that this humanitarian assistance reflects the spirit of brotherly and humanitarian solidarity that characterizes the government of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He noted that this marks the 17th aircraft in the Saudi air bridge initiative, with this flight being the first dedicated to supporting the Syrian people.

Dr. Al Rabeeah stressed that the Kingdom prioritizes humanitarian work as a core mission stemming from its noble values and long-standing generosity, and out of its belief that human dignity is a fundamental right for every individual on earth.

KSrelief also signed a cooperation agreement yesterday with the Syrian Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management to provide essential equipment, supplies, and machinery needed to combat wildfires in the town of Kassab, in Latakia Governorate. The agreement aims to enhance the rapid and effective response capacity through technical and logistical support for field firefighting teams.

These humanitarian efforts are part of the Kingdom's ongoing commitment, through KSrelief, to easing the suffering of those affected and fulfilling its substantial humanitarian role in aiding the needy and disaster-stricken people worldwide.