Travel warning issued for Saudi Arabia
The Foreign Office is warning against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia following yesterday’s suicide bomb attacks on the capital Riyadh.
The attacks – which have killed up to 29 people and left several hundred injured – are likely to have been carried out by al-Qaeda, US and Saudi officials state.
Up to ten US citizens lost their lives in the attacks, which were carried out against expatriate housing compounds.
No group has yet accepted responsibility for the bombings.
Issuing its updated travel warning, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office says that there remains a high threat of further large or small scale attacks against Western interests in Saudi Arabia.
“Terrorist attacks could involve the use of chemical and biological materials”, it warns.
It calls on those already in Saudi Arabia or still planning to travel to the Middle Eastern state to maintain a high level of vigilance, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners such as hotels, restaurants and shopping malls.
“You should adopt a low profile and minimise in-country travel”, the advice states. “You should take sensible precautions for your personal and vehicle safety”.
Speaking this afternoon, US president George W. Bush condemned what he described as “the ruthless murder of American and other citizens”.
He said that the attacks were a reminder that the ‘war on terror’ continued, adding “The United States will find the killers, and they will know the meaning of American justice”.
