France Shuts Cultural Centers for Security Reasons

France has closed two of its cultural centers in Lebanon “for security reasons”, the French embassy in Beirut said Monday.

 

The centers, in the southern city of Sidon and in Tripoli were being temporarily shut down, the embassy said, adding that the decision was taken nearly two weeks ago.

 

“Security of these cultural missions is a priority,” it said.

 

Earlier Monday, the Saudi Arabian government warned its citizens not to travel to Lebanon because of the “unstable” security situation in the country.

 

Street clashes in recent days between supporters of government and the Shiite-led opposition have raised tensions in a country already embroiled in its worst political crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war.