JEDDAH: The Ministry of Interior has approved a plan to protect vital installations as well as security forces. Fifteen such locations have been shortlisted in the Eastern Province for the purpose, an official has said.

“The security project will be first launched in the Eastern Province because it has a large number of vital installations, and other areas in the Kingdom will also be covered later,” the official was quoted as saying by local media on Saturday.

The move comes on the heels of the Aug. 6 terror attack on the Special Emergency Forces Center Mosque in Asir, in which 11 security officers and four employees were killed.

The official said oil and industrial facilities need advanced security, in addition to providing security at the main gates.

“The Kingdom has a large number of specialists in engineering and architectural fields, in addition to experts in telecommunication and information technology. The projects will be undertaken in coordination with relevant authorities in the Ministry of Interior,” he said.

Following are some of the main aspects of the new security plan:

• To provide external security for vital industrial and oil establishments and ensure the competency of their in-house security.

• To conduct security inspections of machinery and individuals.

• Follow up on implementing instructions issued by higher bodies.

• Make sure industrial security personnel are trained in the use of fire arms and electric batons.

• Analyze security hazards around establishments.