Jeddah: Abduction of 40 Iranian pilgrims by Syrian rebels have increased fear of kidnappings of Saudis by angry Shiite rebels in the region. The fear has caused Saudi Arabia to order its citizens to leave Lebanon immediately.
According to official Saudi news agency, in a statement issued by the Saudi Embassy in Beirut, the kingdom urged its citizens to immediately leave and warns travelers against visiting Lebanon, a popular destination for Gulf residents in the summer.
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon, Ali Awad al-Asiri, who is in Mecca, said that he requested that all Saudi nationals in Lebanon to leave the country after “the threats have become open.”
Asiri was referring to threats earlier in the day by the Meqdad clan, which said it could take action against Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey over the kidnapping of one its members earlier this week in Syria.
The Meqdad clan said Wednesday it abducted over 30 individuals it described as belonging to the Free Syrian Army, which it claims was behind the kidnapping of their relative, Hassan Meqdad, Monday.
The family held Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia responsible for the kidnappings given their backing to Syrian rebels. The family also held the Lebanese government responsible for not putting enough efforts to release their kin.
Armed Shiite clansmen in Lebanon say they have taken 20 Syrians hostages until their relative seized by rebels in Syria is freed. Syria rebels claim to be holding a Lebanese man they accuse of being a member of Hezbollah, the Shiite Lebanese group allied with Syria and Iran.
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