The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have urged citizens to leave Lebanon immediately and advised its people not to travel to the country.

The announcement comes after a mass kidnapping by Lebanese militants. More than 20 people have been taken prisoner by members of the Meqdad clan...one of Lebanon's most powerful Shi'ite families. The group says the abduction is in retaliation for the capture of one of their members by the Free Syrian Army in Damascus.

The hostages are said to include a Turkish businessman, a Saudi and several Syrians.