On the explosions in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia, Local, 5/14/2003

Saudi Arabia's crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz yesterday received the US Secretary Of State Colin Powell in Riyadh in conclusion of the latter's tour on several Middle Eastern states.

Just few hours before Powell's arrival, three suicide explosions took place in the heart of the capital Riyadh, targeting residential complexes inhabited mainly by Americans and this resulted in killing more than 90 persons, according to US officials.

Meantime, Riyadh announced the killing of 29 persons including 7 Americans, seven Saudis, two Jordanian children, two Filipinos, one Lebanese and one Swiss in addition to the explosions' nine executors. 194 were reported wounded.

From Amman and before he headed for Riyadh, Powell accused al-Qaida organization of being behind these attacks. A matter which he also repeated in Riyadh after his arrival there and supported in these remarks by the Saudi minister of the interior Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz.

An American official said that some 90 persons have been killed including 10 to 12 Americans, adding that the final number might increase. Another American official said that the number of killing temporarily tolled 91 persons and the final number will be higher, noting that between 30 to 44 Americans were also wounded in the attack.

Powell visited one of the residential complexes targeted by the explosions. visit lasted only for five minutes in that complex which includes the offices of an American company in which seven Americans were killed. Since 29 years this company has been taking part in training the Saudi national guards which is presided over by the Crown Prince Abdullah.

The US President George Bush vowed to bring the planners of these explosions before justice, saying that these explosions show that the war against terrorism is still ongoing.

Powell said "we are committed to double efforts and to work closely with our Saudi friends and with our friends all over the world to chase al-Qaida and to chase the terrorists and all those who kill the innocent and to eradicate this epidemic from earth." On the other hand, the Saudi foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal expressed commitment to fighting terrorism. He said that these attacks "should boost our efforts and make us not hesitate in taking necessary measures to stop these persons who only know hatred."

On May 8, the Saudi authorities said it has been chasing 19 terrorists including 17 Saudis "having links to al-Qaida and were preparing for terrorist operations" Large amounts of ammunition and explosives were found.

On May 11, a Saudi organization close to al-Qaeda organization called on its supporters to attack the American interests in the world in response to the announcement made by Riyadh on finding the amounts of weapons and explosives.

Previous Stories:
  Upon Powell's arrival to Saudi Arabia, four explosions hit Riyadh, scores are victims   (5/13/2003)
  Riyadh announces foiling a terrorist attempt   (5/8/2003)
  One American was wounded in a fire launched in a Saudi base   (5/2/2003)

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