Berri, Jumblat say Lebanon travel warnings by Gulf nations 'incomprehensible'
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat, who met Sunday in Ain el-Tineh, were both confused about statements by Gulf nations warning their citizens not to travel to Lebanon.
Bahrain had called on its citizens to leave Lebanon "for their own safety" hours after Saudi Arabia did the same without giving a reason.
Qatar called on Qataris in Lebanon to stay away from Ain el-Helweh and the UAE reminded its citizens of a travel ban that has been in effect for years. Kuwait and Oman also issued travel warnings.
"The events of Ain al-Helweh are confined to the immediate area and haven't extended to other parts of the country," Berri told al-Jadeed.
He added that he had discussed the Gulf nations' statements with Jumblat and that both did not understand the reason behind them.
The Saudi embassy in Beirut posted a statement late Friday night on X, formerly known as Twitter, calling on its citizens to avoid going to areas where there are "armed conflicts" and also to leave Lebanon quickly.
The decision by the Gulf nations came after days of fighting in the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon between members of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah group and militants of Islamic groups.
The four days of fighting in Ain el-Helweh camp near the southern port city of Sidon have left 13 people dead and dozens wounded.
"We both did not understand the reason behind the embassies' warnings," Jumblat stated after meeting Berri, as he considered the situation in Ain el-Helweh to be under control.
"It seems that there are things that we do not know," the former PSP leader added.
Source: Naharnet
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