Financial Times: Saudi Islamists cross for Iraq

The British Financial Times said yesterday that Islamist Saudis are crossing the borders heading for Iraq in order to fight the American and British forces.

The Saudi Arabian renegade Saad al-Faqih said from his headquarters in Britain to the paper that the Saudi authorities are concerned over the loss of "3,000 " persons from the Kingdom in 2 months of persons who crossed to Iraq and the way they did so is unknown.

Al-Faqih indicated that the detentions took place in Saudi Arabia recently contributed to directing many Saudis to Iraq where they lived in secure houses and made relations with sympathizing Iraqis in the northern area between Baghdad, al-Musil and Takrit. He said that part of this independent movement of persons is uncoordinated but has become more organized now. He added that the independent Saudi Islamists Organization has no connection to al-Qaida.

A high ranking British official said there is evidence on the interest of Islamic groups from several countries to go to Iraq. He considered that al-Qaida role is still vague despite evidence on its involvement in resistance operations.