US missions reopen after Saudi terror threat

The US reopened its three diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia today after a two-day closure owing to a terror threat.

“We continue to re-evaluate the security situation,” US Embassy deputy spokesman Andrew Mitchell said.

On Sunday, the US Embassy had said it would be closed Monday and Tuesday, together with the consulates in Jiddah and Dhahran, because “a threat against US government buildings in the kingdom”.

The moved prompted the British and Australian governments to issue a warning to members of the public warning that terrorists were planning attacks in Saudi Arabia, with No 10 saying preparations for a strike were in the final stages.

But the Saudi Interior Ministry said it had no information that a terror attack was imminent.

Sunday’s US Embassy warning was the second in two weeks. On July 25, the embassy warned Americans that militants were likely plotting new attacks in the kingdom.

Since May 2003, al-Qaida-linked militants have carried out suicide bombings, including attacks on Western housing compounds, and have been involved in attacks on Westerners, kidnappings and gunbattles with police.

In December, five militants shot their way into the Jiddah Consulate, killing five non-American employees. Four of the attackers were killed.