Kingdom Denies US Pressure

Author: 
Agence France Presse
Publication Date: 
Fri, 2003-09-05 03:00

RIYADH, 5 September 2003 — Saudi Arabia denied yesterday it was under US pressure to withdraw fighters deployed in a base near the southern Israeli city of Eilat. “Washington did not put pressure on us, and we would not tolerate pressure from anyone when it comes to sovereignty matters,” Assistant Defense Minister Prince Khaled ibn Sultan told AFP.

Israeli military radio said on Wednesday that Israel had asked the United States to put pressure on Saudi Arabia to withdraw F-16 fighters deployed in a base near Eilat.

“We do not have F-16s, but rather F-15s, stationed in Tabuk, and we will keep them there because they are deployed inside our territory,” Prince Khaled said.

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