RIYADH, 21 February 2003 — Saudi Arabia has agreed to allow private firms to import and sell gas masks as war on Iraq appears imminent, the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry said yesterday.
The chamber said on its website that Interior Minister Prince Naif has instructed the Commerce Ministry to work out the modalities for import, previously limited to a number of state and semi-official agencies.
Prince Naif also asked the authorities to make sure the price of the masks was appropriate.
During the 1991 Gulf War, Iraq fired several Scud missiles at Saudi Arabia, killing a number of people and damaging buildings as the Kingdom was used as a launchpad for Operation Desert Storm.
No repeat of the scenario is expected as the Kingdom has said it will not allow US forces to wage war on Iraq from its territory.
The government will not distribute free gas masks to its 17 million citizens and some seven million guest workers.
Civil Defense Department chief Lt. Gen. Saad Al-Tuwaijery told Arab News that his organization will ensure that gas masks meet requirements before allowing their sale.
Saudi Arabia, which shares a long northern border with Iraq, has yet to upgrade defenses against a possible use of chemical and biological weapons in case of a war.
