JEDDAH, 20 December 2003 — Saudi Arabia yesterday reaffirmed its determination to root out terrorism and protect expatriate workers in the Kingdom.
“We must eradicate terrorism absolutely,” said Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard.
Prince Abdullah was addressing a group of Saudi and Arab intellectuals taking part in the Janadriya Heritage and Culture Festival.
“The foreigners have come to serve this country. They deserve the same protection as citizens because they came here peacefully to serve the country,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the crown prince as saying.
“The terrorists are ignorant...and we will pursue this minority, no matter how long it takes. We will pursue them whoever they are and whatever happens,” the crown prince said.
“When a part of the body is rotten it must be cut off,” he said angrily, before apologizing for losing his temper. “I beg you to excuse me. I got angry but this is a question that irritates me,” he told his audience.
The Saudi leader also warned that anyone supporting terrorists will be considered one of them. Asked if Riyadh has a political strategy to eradicate terrorism, the prince said: “The strategy lies in the cohesion of the people and their leadership.”
He blamed ignorance, stupidity and evil forces for the spread of terrorism in Arab and Islamic countries.
“We want to bring about unity in the Arab and Islamic nation. We don’t want to differentiate between an Arab and a Muslim. Arabs include even our Christian brethren. Islam is our foundation and our model. You achieve glory with the help of God and by following Islam,” he said.
