DIPLOMATS have urged around 40 Bahrainis currently in Lebanon to evacuate in the wake of violent protests taking over the streets of Beirut. 

Mass demonstrations over an ongoing trash crisis escalated with police clashing with rioters and scores of injuries reported on both sides. 

The Bahrain Embassy in Beirut said its nationals were safe, but a directive has been issued for all citizens to return home immediately. 

“We are urging Bahrainis in Lebanon to leave the country immediately in the given unstable security situation,” a spokesman told the GDN.

“No Bahraini in Lebanon has approached us yet to return, but we know there are around 40 citizens currently in Lebanon. 

“There could be more as well, as not all people who come in usually inform the embassy. 

“However, we are issuing the advisory at regular intervals in local TV and news outlets and social media, urging them to return at the earliest. 

“They should know that it is for their safety.”   

However, the spokesman said even if the situation clears, a ban on Bahrainis travelling to Lebanon will still be in place. 

“Things are settling down and the situation is slowly getting back to normal, however, the ban for Bahrainis to travel to Lebanon will remain until Bahrain’s Foreign Affairs Ministry announces otherwise,” he added. 

The ministry yesterday issued an advisory renewing its call to Bahraini citizens not to travel to Lebanon to ensure their security
and safety. 

Unrest has been building because of the government’s failure to clear up rubbish piled on the streets of Beirut since the country’s biggest landfill closed last month. 

Political stalemate and corruption have been blamed for the failure to resolve the crisis. 

On Saturday, at least 16 people taking part in the ‘You Stink’ demonstrations were injured during clashes with police, according to a Red Cross official, while the Internal Security Forces said more than 35 of its members were
also hurt.

In case of any emergency, Bahrainis should contact the embassy in Jordan on 0096265664148/00962788888277 or the embassy in Beirut on 009613611936, while the local point of contact will be the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Follow-Up Office on 17227555. 

raji@gdn.com.bh