Police in Los Angeles have cleared out a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Southern California (USC).

Officers in riot gear moved into the site early on Sunday, as USC warned those who did not leave that they could be arrested, according to CBS, the BBC’s US partner.

No arrests have been reported, and USC President Carol Folt thanked the police and campus security for clearing the camp “as peacefully and safely as possible”.

In a statement on Sunday, Dr Folt said action had to be taken because the encampment was disrupting exams and preparations for commencement ceremonies, and the situation was “spiralling in a dangerous direction”.

“My goals were to prioritise safety and return our campus and our surrounding community to normalcy,” she said.