US shut Saudi embassy in terror alert

The US is closing its embassy in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh tomorrow because of terror threats.

An announcement said the embassy “continues to receive credible information that terrorists in Saudi Arabia have moved from the planning to operational phase of planned attacks in the Kingdom. “

The embassy urged all American citizens Saudi to be vigilant.

“In light of the seriousness of the current threat, the embassy in Riyadh and the consulates General in Jeddah and Dhahran will close tomorrow to review their current security posture,” said a statement.

The US State Department said terrorist actions may include chemical and biological attacks, suicide operations, bombings, hijackings or kidnappings.

They may also involve commercial aircraft and maritime interests.

“While conventional weapons such as explosive devices are a more immediate threat in many areas, use of non-conventional weapons, including chemical or biological agents must be considered a possible threat,” said the State Department in a warning on the Riyadh embassy’s website today.

“Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets.

“Increased security at official US facilities has led terrorists and their sympathisers to seek softer targets such as public transportation, residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, hotels, schools, outdoor recreation events, resorts and beaches.”

In October, the embassy urged Americans in Saudi Arabia to be vigilant during the holy Islamic fasting month of Ramadan that ends later this month.

On Monday, Saudi police uncovered a cell believed linked to al-Qaida network in the holy city of Mecca. Police believe the cell had planned to carry out attacks during Ramadan.

The alert came a day after two suspected militants, believed to be members of the Mecca cell, blew themselves up in the holy city to avoid arrest. A third suspect was killed in a shoot-out with security forces in Riyadh, the Saudi capital.

The Saudi government launched a nationwide security crackdown following the May 12 attacks on Western compounds in Riyadh. About 600 suspects believed linked to al-Qaida have been arrested since the May attacks, which killed 35 people, including the nine attackers.