RIYADH, 13 January 2003 — Saudi Arabia has not placed its armed forces on a state of alert over the threatened US war against Iraq, Assistant Defense Minister Prince Khaled ibn Sultan said in remarks published yesterday.
"There have been no unusual movements by the armed forces. They have not been placed on a state of alert on the back of the possible war against Iraq," Prince Khaled told Okaz newspaper.
Prince Khaled was commenting on reports that Saudi military units were moved to the northern borders with Kuwait and to Hafr Al-Batin near the borders with Iraq.
"These reports are totally baseless. The position of our military is very normal ... It is a natural situation," he said.
Prince Khaled also denied that the armed forces have canceled all annual leave, saying he was preparing to go on "leave from tomorrow."
Saudi Arabia, which has long borders with its Arab neighbor Iraq, has been lobbying to find a peaceful solution to the crisis between the United States and Baghdad.
Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul held talks here Saturday with Saudi leaders over a proposed initiative to end the standoff over Iraq and prevent war.
Riyadh has reiterated that its decision to join a UN-sanctioned war against Baghdad will be based on its national interests and the evidence of Iraq’s material breach of the UN Security Council Resolution 1441. (AFP)
