Saudi Arabia: We did not plan to assassinate Bin Laden

Saudi Arabia has denied accusations raised by Osama Bin Laden in press and TV interviews over attempts to assassinate him. Saudi Arabia described these accusations as "fabricated and groundless."

A Saudi source said that, "The claims attributed in the Pakistani English daily The News to Osama Bin Laden" and his claims of an assassination attempt planned by his "royal highness Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, the prince of al-Riyadh district" through three persons including one person called Saddiq Ahmad who he claimed had received financing from Saudi Arabia are mere "lies."

In a statement broadcast in Riyadh on Sunday, the source added, "What is known about Saudi Arabia is that it had not and will not resort to such practices at any time and place or under any condition." The source indicated "Saudi Arabia's adherence to its clear policy in not interfering in the internal affairs of any country."

The Saudi source continued: "What was said by Bin Laden was mere fabricated lies," noting that "Saddiq Ahmad is not known by the prince of Riyadh district."

This is the first time Saudi Arabia has replied in an official statement to Bin Laden's statements.

Saudi Arabia deprived Osama Bin Laden of his Saudi nationality in 1994.