Bukhari: KSA to back Lebanon tourism if Lebanese resolve crisis

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari on Monday confirmed that the kingdom’s warning to its citizens to leave Lebanon was linked to the latest deadly clashes in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Helweh.

“Saudi Arabia is keen on its citizens wherever they may be,” Bukhari told a delegation from the Renewal for Homeland Movement that was led by Charles Arbid.

“Saudi Arabia has been and will be one of the biggest supporters of tourism in Lebanon and the coming period will prove that if the Lebanese reach a solution for their crisis,” Bukhari added.

Lebanon's caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said Monday that deadly violence in Ain el-Helweh had abated, in a bid to ease fears after Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states warned citizens against travel to the country.

"Security and intelligence services... have no information that the situation could spin out of control and spill over to other camps," the interior minister told reporters.

Thirteen people were killed in several days of violence that erupted on July 28 -- the worst in years -- pitting members of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement against Islamist militants.

Last week, Arab Gulf countries -- some of which have already banned their citizens from traveling to Lebanon -- issued warnings urging their nationals to exercise caution in the country, or emphasizing travel restrictions.

The moves caught Lebanese by surprise, coming after a cautious calm returned to Ain el-Helweh, where outbreaks of violence are common.

Saudi Arabia called on citizens to avoid areas where clashes erupted, and to leave Lebanon immediately, recalling a travel ban already in place.

The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain followed suit, while Qatar, Kuwait and Oman urged their citizens to exercise caution and avoid unsafe areas.

Gulf nations have issued travel warnings over security incidents in Lebanon in the past.

Relations between Beirut and Gulf Arab states have at times been strained over the growing regional influence of Lebanon's pro-Iran Hezbollah.

Since 2021, Saudis have had to obtain their government's permission before travelling to Lebanon due to strained bilateral ties.

Riyadh returned its ambassador to Beirut in April 2022, just over five months after recalling him amid a diplomatic dispute pitting Lebanon against several Gulf monarchies.

Riyadh also suspended fruit and vegetable imports from Lebanon in April 2021, saying shipments were being used for drug smuggling and accusing Beirut of inaction.