US, Britain to Close Embassies in Saudi Arabia on Terrorist Threat

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, May 21, 2003

US, Britain to Close Embassies in Saudi Arabia on Terrorist Threat

The United States and Britain have said that they are closing their embassies and consulates in Saudi Arabia for a few days because of terrorist threats.

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The United States and Britain have said that they are closing their embassies and consulates in Saudi Arabia for a few days because of terrorist threats.

The embassy and consulate closures were announced a day after Saudi and U.S. officials said they had new intelligence pointing to Saudi-born dissident Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida group possibly launching fresh attacks in the United States or against American interests overseas.

A statement posted on U.S. Embassy and consulate Web sites warned Americans of further terrorist attacks which it said are being planned against unspecified targets in Saudi Arabia. It said that in response to information that some strikes may be imminent, the embassy in Riyadh and the consulates in Jiddah and Dhahran will be closed Wednesday.

The British Foreign Office said its embassy in Riyadh, consulate in Jiddah and the trade office in Khobar will close to the public Wednesday.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister Prince Saud said his country was increasing security measures to prevent further attacks.

Near-simultaneous suicide attacks on three residential compounds on the outskirts of Riyadh on May 12 killed 34 people, including 10 Americans, and wounded almost 200.

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