RIYADH, 15 November 2003 — The US diplomatic missions in the Kingdom will reopen today, an American diplomat said yesterday.
The US Embassy in Riyadh and consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran were closed last Saturday following terror warnings, hours before a car bomb attack inside a Riyadh housing compound, killed at least 18 people and wounded scores more.
“The embassy wishes to advise the American community that it and the consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran will reopen on Saturday Nov. 15, 2003 for normal operations, including consular services to the public,” an embassy statement said.
“Given the uncertainty of the current security environment, the US mission continues to urge American citizens to remain vigilant, maintain a low profile and follow prudent security practices,” it said.
It advised the 35,000 US citizens in Saudi Arabia to vary times and routes for essential travel, park cars in protected areas and check their vehicles before using them. “American citizens should avoid places where Westerners are seen to congregate,” it added.
A day after the Riyadh bombing, the United States said it was suspending normal operations at its embassy in the Sudanese capital Khartoum for at least one week because of a threat to US interests in the city.
