Arab Gulf nations are encouraging their citizens to leave Lebanon amid violent nationwide protests over the country's worsening economic crisis.

The state-run Saudi Press Agency says Saudi Arabian nationals have been warned against travelling to Lebanon and those already there are being asked to take utmost caution. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain went a step further, calling on their citizens to leave amid the unrest.

As hundreds of Lebanese gather for fresh protests on Saturday, armed clashes were reported in the southern city of Tyre when protesters chanted slogans opposed to AMAL Movement leader and Speaker Nabih Berri.

Videos circulating on social media showed pro-AMAL gunmen suppressing the campaigners by force in Tyre.

The Lebanese army moved to end a wave of protests against tax increases and alleged official corruption Saturday as the fragile governing coalition fractured over promised economic reforms.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri reportedly received tens of phone calls discouraging him from resigning, including from a “personal Hizbullah envoy”, Nidaa al-Watan newspaper said on Saturday.

The Embassy of Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday that evacuation of its nationals due to disturbances in Lebanon began early on Saturday.

President Michel Aoun received Friday evening a delegation representing protesters and told them that he will do all he can to "ease your suffering,” media reports said on Saturday.

A woman who kicked an armed ministerial bodyguard in the groin has become a symbol of growing anti-corruption protests in Lebanon.

Army troops and riot policemen used excessive force Friday evening to disperse anti-government protesters, making a large number of arrests.

Violent clashes and riots had broken out in downtown Beirut following a speech by Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who gave political parties a 72-hour ultimatum to support his reform agenda or face a possible resignation.

Two protesters were killed and six others were wounded when bodyguards of ex-MP Mosbah al-Ahdab opened fire during an anti-government demo in the northern city of Tripoli, media reports said.

The violence erupted after the protesters rejected Ahdab’s participation in their rally, pelting him with bottles.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Friday gave the country’s political parties a 72-hour ultimatum to back his reform agenda, in the face of unprecedented massive protests that have brought the country to a standstill.

“The country is going through an unprecedented situation. The pain of the Lebanese is real and I support every peaceful protest,” Hariri said in an address to the nation.