Comprehensive Plan to Thwart Possible Terrorist Attacks

Thursday, November 6, 2003

(11, Ramadhan, 1424)

By P.K. Abdul Ghafour

Arab News Staff

Lt. Gen. Saeed Al-Qahtani, director general of public security, urged security agencies to make all-out efforts to track down terrorists. He commended the efforts made by security forces in thwarting a major terrorist plot. He advised Saudi citizens to cooperate with security agencies.

JEDDAH -- AN
The Kingdom’s security agencies have worked out a comprehensive plan to thwart possible terrorist attacks on Saudi and foreign pilgrims in Makkah during Ramadan, say informed sources.

Security forces in different regions will be called in as part of the emergency plan, Okaz Arabic daily reported yesterday, quoting the sources.

The move comes after disclosures by Interior Minister Prince Naif that the militants who were arrested by police in Makkah’s Al-Sheraie district were apparently planning to carry out terrorist attacks on pilgrims. “The new security plan is aimed at ensuring the welfare and safety of pilgrims and facilitating their movement inside Makkah,” the sources said.

Prince Naif announced on Tuesday that police had arrested six terror suspects following Monday’s raid in the Al-Sheraie district. Two militants were killed and a policeman was injured in the clash.

(More: ArabNews.com)

2003 © Arab News.

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