The illegality of protests was made clear following the appearance of text messages and postings on social networking sites that the Syrian community in the Kingdom were permitted to organize protest rallies.
“Anyone engaged in demonstrations will be questioned and punished as per regulations,” acting spokesman of Jeddah police First Lt. Nawaf Al-Bouq said in a statement on Tuesday.
On Monday, Syrian expatriates in the city gathered at many locations including Tahliah Street where about 2,000 people assembled carrying Saudi flags and pictures of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
The protesters commended the king’s stand calling for peace and unity in Syria and said all Arabs should emulate the king. As a number of Saudi youths started joining the gathering, police intervened and dispersed the people peacefully.
Similar attempts of gatherings and demonstrations were reported from Riyadh, Dammam and some other cities over the past two days.
