American consulate in Zahran closed down

Due to the continued confrontations in Saudi Arabia between the security men and gunmen, the American embassy in Saudi Arabia announced the temporarily closure of its consulate in Zahran, adjoining Dammam area, where there have been security clashes with gunmen.

In a statement, the embassy said that "due to the continued confrontations between the Saudi security forces and several unidentified numbers of terrorists in Dammam, the US general consulate in Zahran will be closed temporarily for the public."

The embassy also called on American citizens living in Saudi Arabia to be "cautious" especially when visiting trade centers.

In compliance with the developments, the Saudi King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz received the White House advisor for internal security and terrorism fighting Francis Townsand, who conveyed to the king a message from the American President George W. Bush.