Britons and Americans have been advised against all but essential travel to Bahrain.

Updated advice from Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office also urged those already living here limit their travel around the country to essential journeys and not go out when demonstrations are taking place.

'If travelling, they should maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places and on major highways, and avoid large gatherings, crowds and demonstrations,' said an advisory on the British Embassy website.

'As the risk of further demonstrations and sporadic outbreaks of violence remains high, we advise all UK nationals to maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places and on major highways and to avoid large gatherings, crowds and demonstrations.

'The airport remains open and transiting through the airport is unaffected by this advice.'

People were urged to keep up to date with the latest developments via the media.

The statement welcomed the proposal by His Majesty King Hamad and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, for dialogue between all sides.

'Bahrain should take further steps on reforms that meet legitimate aspirations for greater social and political freedoms,' it said.

The embassy, located in central Manama close to where violence has occurred, remains temporarily closed.

Britons living in Bahrain have been urged to register their details with the embassy's Locate service, available at www.fco.gov.uk/LOCATE.

Updated messages can also be read on the website http://ukinbahrain.fco.gov.uk/en/.

US citizens have also been advised to 'defer non-essential travel' to Bahrain.

The US State Department said it 'alerts US citizens to the potential for ongoing political and social unrest in Bahrain. We urge US citizens to defer non-essential travel to Bahrain at this time.'

It warned Americans that there have been clashes with weapons fired and that 'spontaneous demonstrations and violence are expected throughout the next several days', even if there are no signs of Westerners being targeted.

'US citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security,' the State Department said in its statement.

'The US Department of State strongly urges US citizens to avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful ones can quickly become unruly and a foreigner could become a target of harassment or worse,' it said.

Indians in Bahrain have also been advised to avoid crowded places and cut all non-essential movement within the city.

The Indian Embassy has set up three helpline numbers, available on 17712785, 39304285 and 39828767.

Australia has also told travellers to reconsider trips to Bahrain as a result of the recent unrest. 'We have seen clear reports of fatalities among protesters and a large number of injuries as well,' said Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd.

'The travel advisory for Bahrain now reads that Australians should reconsider their need to travel due to the unpredictable security situation as a result of recent clashes between protesters and government security forces.'

An estimated 1,000 Australians live in Bahrain.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy urged Filipinos to refrain from posting messages on social networking sites and sending text messages commenting on the unrest.

'This is a matter that is internal to the Bahraini people and on which Filipinos, as visitors to the kingdom, should not meddle,' said a statement.

'All are advised to desist from actions that could be misconstrued as interference in domestic affairs.'

Filipinos are also asked to refrain from leaving their homes unless it is essential, stock up with at least two weeks' supply of food and water, medicine, candles, mobile phones, radios and torches.

They are urged to ensure important documents such as CPR cards, driving licences and other personal documents are readily available and be sensitive to the local culture, customs, traditions and religious beliefs.

Meanwhile, US Navy workers in Bahrain have been advised to limit their movements as much as possible in the wake of the unrest.

A Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain spokeswoman said officials were continuing to monitor the situation.

'We are advising sailors to avoid the sites where the protests are occurring,' she said.

'The protests have not been targeted at US presence or personnel and are not occurring in the vicinity of NSA Bahrain.

'We have no information at this stage to suggest that planned protests are likely to cause significant disruptions.

'We are basically telling people to limit their movements and travel to the necessary duties like going to the shop or getting medicine and to steer clear of the protests.'

Around 3,000 people are understood to be assigned to the US Navy base. Around 650 families and non-essential staff were evacuated from Bahrain in July 2004 when the Department of Defence expressed concerns about their safety in the Gulf.

However, the navy spokeswoman did not comment on whether that was being considered amid the country's unrest.

Kuwaitis studying in Bahrain have been advised to return home in light of the ongoing unrest.

Those on holiday in Kuwait have also been warned not to travel to Bahrain, according to a report in Kuwait’s daily newspaper Al Jarida.

However, the instructions are not compulsory and officials continue to monitor the situation, said Kuwait Embassy cultural office head Dr Ali Al Damkhi.

Classes at Bahrain’s Arabian Gulf University, which has nearly 600 Kuwaiti students, have been suspended indefinitely, claimed the report.

Kuwaiti Ambassador Shaikh Azzam Mubarak Al Sabah told the Kuwait News Agency the embassy was in touch with Kuwaitis living in Bahrain and that all were safe and secure.-TradeArabia News Service