SA condemns Saudi attack
2004-05-31 22:12
Johannesburg - South Africa condemned on Monday a weekend attack in Saudi Arabia by suspected al-Qaeda militants that left 22 people dead including one of its citizens.
In a statement, the foreign ministry expressed "grave concern and shock" over the deaths "in an alleged terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia" and offered condolences.
"The South African government unequivocally condemns the indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians," it added.
Twenty-two people, including 19 foreigners, were killed when suspected al-Qaeda gunmen attacked oil company offices and took control of a housing complex in the Saudi oil city of Al-Khobar at the weekend.
Four kidnappers at the compound slit the throats of nine foreigners before commandos stormed the apartment hotel building. Three of the four assailants managed to escape.
Arrangements were being made for the return of the body of the South African national who was killed on Saturday.
The foreign ministry added that it was checking information on two South Africans who were injured in the attack.
- AFP