JEDDAH: Families of the three Saudi returnees from the US detention center at Guantanamo, Cuba, have expressed their deep happiness over meeting their sons after being separated for seven years. They thanked the Saudi authorities for winning the release of the young men.
Musallam, brother of Abdulaziz Kadeem Al-Elee, said Prince Muhammad bin Naif, assistant interior minister for security affairs, had informed him of his brother’s return from Guantanamo the night before his arrival.
“I could not believe my ears when I heard the good news. I do not have words to express the happiness of our family now. Abdulaziz’s mother, father, brothers, sisters and other relatives were all waiting for the reunion,” Musallam said.
Abdulaziz is the youngest member of the family in Taif. He has three brothers and four sisters. Before leaving for Afghanistan seven years ago, he was enrolled in a scientific institute. He left the Kingdom without informing his family.
The family of Khaled Al-Saif, another returnee, was equally happy. Khaled has three children: Saad, Hamza and Sara. “I did not sleep after hearing the news of my father’s return,” said 10-year-old Sara, who was three years old when Khaled left the Kingdom.
His brother Marwan said Khaled had resigned his job in the military before going to Pakistan to take part in relief operations. “There was no charge against him,” he said. His mother said she had lost all hope of his return. “Prince Muhammad’s call came as a pleasant surprise.”
Ahmed Zuhair’s wife Um Abdullah said life had become meaningless and painful for her and her 10 children during the long absence of her husband. “I will tell my father when I meet him, ‘I love you and I was praying for you,’” said Aamal, Ahmed’s youngest daughter.
This is the 12th group of Saudis to be released from the US prison camp. The Kingdom has so far received 121 of a total of 133 Saudi detainees. Nine Saudis are still being held at the detention center. Three Saudis — Manie Al-Otaibi, Yasser Al-Zahrani and Abdul Rahman Al-Amri — died while imprisoned.
