JEDDAH, 20 March 2003 — Saudi authorities have stepped up security arrangements to prevent any repercussions from the now almost certain American offensive against the neighboring Arab country.
In an address to the nation on Tuesday, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd said the Kingdom would focus on its internal security and urged citizens to cooperate in stopping troublemakers.
“Our efforts, which have so far been directed toward preventing the war, should now take a new direction to spare our beloved country and people its impact and repercussions,” the king said.
Interior Minister Prince Naif said the Kingdom has stepped up internal security measures for the war.
“We are providing protection for everything in the Kingdom. We are responsible for protecting all those present in this country,” he said in response to a question whether security measures had been increased around Western interests and nationals in the country.
Maj. Gen. Saad Al-Tuwaijeri, director general of the Civil Defense Department, said Interior Minister Prince Naif approved the department’s war plan.
“A number of government and military departments will take part in the plan to cope with any eventualities during the war,” he said. Arrangements have been made with the Commerce Ministry to supply adequate numbers of gas masks in the Kingdom.
Maj. Gen. Alawani Jadawi, assistant director general of Civil Defense for operation affairs, however, denied reports that used masks are available in the market, saying a team of Civil Defense and Commerce Ministry officials must clear the mask consignments.
High-level sources at Saudi Arabian Airlines told Al-Watan daily that the Civil Aviation Authority has developed a plan to avoid dangers during war.
“Some airports and air routes are likely to be closed for security reasons,” the source said, adding that Saudia’s domestic and international flights were unaffected by the developments.
Prince Khaled ibn Sultan, assistant minister of defense and aviation for military affairs, announced recently that the Kingdom has no plan to close more airports in anticipation of war. Arar Airport, which is close to the Iraqi border, was closed for humanitarian efforts.
In a press statement yesterday, Prince Turki ibn Nasser, head of the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment Protection, tried to allay fears of an environmental disaster.
He said his organization had prepared plans to deal with situations in the event of pollution of marine waters by oil or other dangerous materials. The presidency has allocated a toll free number — 966 – for information about environmental pollution.
“The presidency will cooperate with public and private agencies to fight environmental pollution,” he said.
Prince Turki said he feared that the US-led war on Iraq will have dangerous effects on the environment like the previous Gulf war, when eight million barrels of leaked oil caused major environment problems.
