Two Gulf Arab states are telling their citizens to leave Lebanon. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates today called for their citizens in Lebanon to return home and for any citizens thinking about visiting Lebanon not to go.

Their state news agencies cited clashes between pro- and anti-Syrian groups in the northern Lebanese port city of Tripoli. At least 8 people have been killed in sporadic clashes in Tripoli over the past week, sparking fears that ongoing fighting in Syria could spill into its southern neighbour.