Saudi Ambassador in Washington Adel Al-Jubair said that there are between eight and 11 Saudi prisoners in the United States.

He said that although Saudi Arabia has not signed a prisoner-exchange agreement with the US, it has invested in its role as an observer in the Organization of Latin American States for the possibility of prisoner exchange between the two countries.

He said the issue is still subject to conditions related to what prisoners want, provided they are not facing life sentences or the laws of each state does not conflict with an exchange.

Al-Jubair added that the resolution of the prisoner exchange issue will take time since it is still subject to official regulations. Meanwhile, the two countries are making efforts to reach an agreement.

He said the historic relations between the two countries will not be affected because both governments are coordinating at the highest levels. This is evident in the scholarship programs for Saudi students, the volume of trade exchange and the quick visa process, he said.

Al-Jubair added that in case of natural disasters or events, the situation of Saudis may be followed up by the Saudi Embassy in Washington which has divided its cadre into four groups so that each consul is responsible for a certain number of states. The numbers and addresses of students and patients are listed to facilitate communication especially in an emergency when the embassy needs to follow up and provide material and moral assistance.