RIYADH, 16 March 2003 — Saudi Arabia announced yesterday that it has no plans to close any airports other than Arar in the event of a US-led war on Iraq.
“The plans and directives from the higher leadership affirm that there will not be any airport closures in the Kingdom except Arar airport, which was previously announced,” said Prince Khaled ibn Sultan, assistant minister of defense and aviation for military affairs.
Speaking to reporters here, he also said that the Saudi armed forces are fully prepared to deal with any threat to the stability of the Kingdom.
“(The military forces’) continued readiness allows it to be fully prepared now,” Prince Khaled said.
He refuted as “baseless” allegations that Saudi forces in Kuwait, which were sent as part of the Peninsula Shield, were acting under an American commander.
