JEDDAH, 26 April 2004 — Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, has warned terrorists to surrender for their own safety and security. “Those who surrender will be safe and those who resist will lose,” he said yesterday.
Addressing senior officers of the armed forces, National Guard and security agencies here, he also commended the courage displayed by security forces in the continuing fight against terror. “We hope that the painful incidents that took place in Riyadh and Jeddah recently will be the last and the individuals (behind them) will return to their senses and surrender,” he said.
Prince Sultan described the terrorists as “a misled and brainwashed few working against their religion, their rulers and their people.” He said he believed that the Kingdom would remain safe and secure so long as it depends on the Almighty and practices His religion.
At the same time, Interior Minister Prince Naif said the Kingdom “would leave no stone unturned in the fight against terror” and called on the public to cooperate with security forces and help identify terror cells that may still be in the country.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the bereaved families of the Riyadh blast victims, Prince Naif said investigations into last Wednesday’s bombing were still under way and the identity of the perpetrators would be announced soon.
Five people were killed and over 140 injured in the attack on the capital’s traffic department.
He said the Kingdom’s security forces were capable of rooting out terrorism and arresting those who have disrupted the nation’s security.
Lt. Gen. Saeed Al-Qahtani, director general of public security, said the authorities were keen on ensuring the security and safety of policemen. He made the comment after visiting the security officers wounded in the powerful blast.
Shoura Condemns Attack
The 120-member Shoura Council yesterday denounced the attack and vowed its full support for the government’s efforts to confront “the deviant group, its destructive thoughts and spiteful actions.”
In a statement, the advisory body also urged the government to root out all sources that support terrorism. “We support all your efforts to protect the country from these misguided and corrupt people,” the Shoura told the government.
The statement noted “the courage and bravery” displayed by the security forces and their “good performance” in dealing with terrorists. However, the Shoura reminded the public that it was a joint responsibility to defeat terrorists and their supporters. “We will stand united to end this criminal terrorism,” it said.
The Council said the terrorists were doing a great disservice to Islam and Muslims through their nefarious acts.
