US opens embassy, Riyadh rejects dialogue with Islamists

The US embassy in Riyadh announced yesterday it will re-open its embassy as from today, Saturday, after it had decided to close it last week for security reasons.

The embassy said that it notified the Americans that the embassy and the two consulates in Jeddah and Zahran will re-open their doors on Saturday ( 15) and will resume activities especially consulate services. The embassy closed its doors on Saturday just one day before the explosion which targeted a residential complex in Riyadh in which 17 persons were killed.

The re-opening of the embassy coincides with the denial of a Saudi official news on convening a meeting between the Suadi Crown Prince Abdullah and Saudi clergy who want to propose an initiative to halt violence in the kingdom.

The sources in a statement broadcast yesterday by the Saudi news agency that the authorities have no intention to "open a dialogue with terrorists." The official called on "persons who are wanted by the justice and feel redemption to surrender themselves to the Saudi authorities unconditionally." Meantime, the London- based Saudi daily al-Hayat quoted Sheikh Safar al-Hawali that a meeting bringing together more than 40 Saudi clergy is expected to be held in the three coming days in Mecca.

He added that the meeting aims at "discussing an initiative to halt acts of violence and explosion and to prevent further attacks through opening the door of dialogue between the two sides."