Saudi Arabia to up protection of oil facilities

Saudi Arabia will set up a 35,000-strong special force to protect its oil facilities due to the increasing threats against al-Qaida, the Interior Ministry said.

Saudi Arabia, which has a quarter of the world’s oil proven oil reserves, has seen a rise in attacks by Islamist extremists over the last few years.

“The ultimate goal for the force is to reach 35,000 personnel, but we have to go gradually,” Maj. Mansour al-Turki, interior ministry spokesman said.

“We hope that within next year, the force reaches up to 20,000,” he added.