Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil confirmed on Friday reports that the United Arab Emirates is to deport 70 Lebanese individuals.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil confirmed on Friday reports that the United Arab Emirates is to deport 70 Lebanese individuals.

“We have been informed by the Lebanese Embassy in Dubai that authorities decided to deport 70 Lebanese in the next 24 hours,” Bassil wrote in a Tweet.

Local media has said there were no clear reasons for the deportations, which include Lebanese from various sects. LBC television channel, however, said the majority of those scheduled to be deported are Shiites.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam told Al-Nahar newspaper Friday that he has launched contacts with relevant parties in an attempt to find a suitable solution to the issue.

Earlier Friday, the Foreign Ministry confirmed it is in touch with the Lebanese Consulate in Dubai and the northern Emirates.

"Nothing is official yet. The Lebanese Consul General there [Samir Nmeir] said he would send a written report to the Foreign Minister's Office when he gets an official confirmation," a Foreign Ministry source told The Daily Star.