JEDDAH, 7 June 2004 — Saudi Arabia yesterday called on foreign governments to hand over Saudi dissidents allegedly linked to terrorist attacks that have rocked the country over the past year.
Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said the Kingdom wanted to investigate some London-based opposition figures, two of whom it accuses of links to a shooting spree last month that killed six Westerners in Yanbu industrial city.
“There must be a chance to investigate anyone who it has been proven is involved in terrorism, wherever he is, and handed over to the authorities who want them... This so-called opposition in London is one of them,” Prince Saud said.
Riyadh accuses Saad Al-Faqih and Mohammed Al-Masaari of links to a gunman involved in the Yanbu attack. Faqih, who runs a rights group, has rejected the claims.
“We live in exceptional times and all countries must act seriously in this respect. It is not acceptable to say that this (handing over suspects) does not conform to laws because someone is considered ‘opposition’,” Prince Saud told a news conference.
Saudi Arabia has been battling militants linked to Osama Bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda network for over a year. An attack claimed by the group last week killed 22 people in Alkhobar.
“These evil criminal acts will not divert the state from its determination to combat this isolated deviant group...and which is now, in cowardly acts, going for easy and random targets after the crackdown,” Prince Saud said.
Referring to the escape of three terrorists in the Alkhobar hostage drama last week, the minister said security forces had given priority to the safety of hostages but added the government would continue efforts to hunt down all terrorists.
He also said that the government had taken extra security measures to protect Saudis and expatriates.
“If anybody feels unsafe they have to tell us the reasons and what kind of protection they require from us,” he said.
Prince Saud also backed a GCC resolution which was passed on Saturday welcoming the new interim government in Baghdad with the hope it would “respond to the aspirations of the Iraqi people to form a legitimate government...and regain complete sovereignty”.
But he said Iraq must have a legitimate and independent government before Arab countries would consider sending peacekeeping forces.
The interim government, which the United Nations helped form, is set to take over from US-led occupation authorities on June 30 and hold office until national elections due in January.
“For Arab states to be capable of sending forces to Iraq there must be a request from a legitimate and independent Iraqi government,” the prince told reporters.
“The request cannot come from a government which does not have full sovereignty,” he said. Iraqi officials have said they want Arab troops to replace US-led forces.
The Arab League has said there was a possible role for Arab forces only once foreign occupiers left.
Washington has said its troops will remain in Iraq after June 30 to help combat guerrilla attacks.
