JEDDAH, 21 December 2002 — A nationwide alarm will be sounded at noon today. The purpose of the siren is to verify the safety and preparedness of the alarm system for use in case of emergency. However, the test is not related to any impending war in the region. Director General of Civil Defense Saad ibn Abdullah Al-Towaijeri has appealed to the people to stay calm when the alarm is sounded.