US wants citizens out of Saudi
2004-05-29 20:25
Riyadh - The US embassy on Saturday reiterated its call on US citizens to leave Saudi Arabia following a series of attacks by suspected Islamist gunmen in the oil city of Al-Khobar in which an American was killed.
"In light of the attack in Yanbu on May 1 and this latest attack in Al-Khobar, the embassy reiterates its previous warning strongly urging American citizens to depart the country," said a warden message read to the media by an embassy spokesperson.
Two Americans were among six Westerners killed in a shooting rampage by presumed Islamist extremists in the industrial port of Yanbu on May 1.
The embassy confirmed that an American citizen was among those killed in the spectacular attacks on Saturday on a residential compound and two oil facilities in Al-Khobar. At least 11 other people were killed, according to an unofficial toll.
The message, which was to be posted on the embassy's website, said the US consulate at Dhahran near Al-Khobar would be closed to the public on Sunday but the Riyadh embassy and consulate in the Red Sea city of Jeddah would operate normally.
- AFP