China’s embassy in Beirut urged citizens to “travel with caution” should they visit Lebanon, warning they face “higher security risks” as fears of a regional conflict soar, AFP reports.

In a statement issued Monday evening Beijing time, the embassy warned citizens the situation in the country was “grave and complex”.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon remind Chinese citizens to closely monitor the evolution of the local situation and to travel with caution in Lebanon in the near future,” the embassy said on its official WeChat account.

Beijing’s embassy also advised Chinese to “remain very vigilant” should they travel to the country.

“If Chinese citizens insist on going (to Lebanon) despite the warning, they may face higher security risks,” it cautioned.