Fahd, Abdullah call for unity, not deviation from Islam; deny Saudi citizens bank account audits

Saudi Arabia's King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Abdullah called in a message addressed to Muslims on the occasion of the fall of Eid al-Fitr today to unity "against terrorism."

Fahd and Abdullah said in the message that the recent explosions have no base in Islam. They urged Muslims "to work together in order to eliminate the reasons behind deviation (from Islam)." However, this call reflects the increasing concern over the security in the kingdom after suiciders, suspected to be al-Qaida members, killed at least 18 persons in an attack at al-Muhayya residential complex in Riyadh on November 9th.

The king and the crown prince said in the message which was circulated by the Saudi news agency that the true Muslim "is the one who does not make violations on earth, nor seek destruction in the world." They added "what happened of acts of destruction here and there by groups alleged to be Muslims, are in reality, Islam is free from." The message also read "We have to work altogether hand-in-hand in order to eliminate reasons behind deviation and its reasons, and to abide by the true jurisprudence of Islam. "

For his part, the Saudi minister of the interior, Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz, called on his citizens to cooperate with the Saudi security forces.

The Saudi daily Okaz quoted Nayef, as saying in special meeting with certain public figures in Mecca, that the recent attack at al-Muhayya residential complex for expatriates in Riyadh that resulted in killing 18 persons "was strange to us. However, the care and collaboration with the security men will prevent undermining our ability and solidarity and unity of ranks."

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia denied yesterday what was stated by the Washington Post daily, in that the FBI is auditing bank accounts for the Saudi Embassy in Washington. It stressed that this measure is a violation to the international law. The Saudi daily Okaz quoted an official source at the Saudi foreign ministry as saying that "these statements are baseless," noting that "it is not possible in any way to audit accounts of any embassy." The source added "it would ruled out completely, to have relations between the two countries, if such a phase is reached."