Kuwait joins its GCC allies in banning travel to Lebanon

Kuwait called on its citizens in Lebanon on Wednesday to leave the country, making it the latest Gulf country to ban travel to this country .

Unless they have pressing issues to stay in the country, citizens are advised to leave Lebanon, said a statement from Kuwaiti embassy in Beirut

These citizens were urged to “exercise caution” in the country, reported Kuwait News Agency.

They should avoid “unsafe areas and contact the embassy and coordinate with it at times of need.”

The Kuwaiti action comes after its allies in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain issued on Tuesday travel warnings to their citizens , citing “safety” concerns.

This development comes after Saudi Arabia decided last week to suspend a $4 billion grant to the Lebanese army and security forces and to review its diplomatic relations with Lebanon. The stance came after Lebanon’s foreign ministry declined to vote in favor of Saudi-backed resolutions against Iran during two meetings of Arab and Muslim foreign ministers.

It also followed fierce anti-Saudi statements by Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

Announcing its decision on Friday, the kingdom deplored “political and media campaigns inspired by Hezbollah against Saudi Arabia,” as well as what it called the group’s “terrorist acts against Arab and Muslim nations.” A possible reference to Hezbollah’s role in Syria, Iraq and Bahrain.

Lebanon’s tourist industry depends heavily on the oil rich Gulf states and this ban could be a blow to the Lebanese economy according to analysts. What is worse analysts say is that the Gulf countries are no longer issuing work visas for Lebanon. This could have drastic effect on the economy since 70 % of the remittances come from expatriates living the Gulf states.