US Warns Citizens Of Demonstrations In Beirut During Pompeo Visit Thursday - State Dept.

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st March, 2019) The United States has warned its citizens of potentially violent demonstrations near its embassy in Lebanon during Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to the country, the State Department said in an alert on Wednesday.

"We are aware of reports that a number of organizations have called for a demonstration on Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 5:00pm in Awkar Square, Dbayeh, to� protest the US Secretary of State's visit to the region," the notice said. "Public demonstrations have the potential to become violent."

The US Embassy in Lebanon has ordered diplomats to cancel all non-essential movement near the protest area, the notice said.

Pompeo is on a weeklong trip to the middle East to meet with government officials in Israel, Lebanon and Kuwait.

In Beirut, Pompeo's visit will focus on the political, security, economic and humanitarian challenges facing Lebanon, the State Department has said. Pompeo will meet with Lebanese officials, including President Michael Aoun, to discuss mutual concerns over Hezbollah, especially its presence in the Lebanese parliament and cabinet, and Iran's influence in the region, according to the State Department.