US expand 'registering' programme

A US programme that compels foreign visitors from some countries in the Middle East and North Africa to register is being expanded to include men from Saudi Arabia - an ally of the US and the home country of 15 of the 19 September 11 hijackers.

A US Immigration and Naturalisation Service memo obtained by the Associated Press directs immigration inspectors registering aliens to include men, aged 16 to 45, from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Yemen, from October 1.