Terror threat closes US embassy

All US missions in Saudi Arabia were closed yesterday for a security review after warning of a serious threat of attacks in the kingdom, the Riyadh embassy said.

"The embassy continues to receive credible information the terrorists in Saudi Arabia have moved from the planning to operational phase of planned attacks in the kingdom," said a recorded "warden" message yesterday.

"The embassy strongly urges all American citizens in the kingdom to be especially vigilant when in any area that is perceived to be American or Western.

"In light of the seriousness of the current threat, the embassy in Riyadh and the US consulates general in Jeddah and Dhahran will close on Saturday, November 8, to review their current security posture," it added.

"The American community will be advised when this review is completed and when the US mission plans to resume normal operations."

An embassy spokesperson said the closure might last longer than yesterday, the first day of the Muslim week.

"It is possible that it will take more than one day," said a spokesperson at the embassy in the sprawling diplomatic quarter on the edge of the capital.

Access to the quarter is controlled by police barricades, and security at the fenced-off US embassy is very tight.

"Experts will take this day by day," said the official, adding that reports the embassy would close for three days were "speculation."

The embassy official refused to provide further information on the nature of the threat.

Up to 35,000 US citizens live in the oil-rich kingdom, according to official estimates.

Britain decided to keep its embassy open, a spokeswoman said.

Both embassies issue periodic terror warnings but the last time both the US and British embassies closed was following the May 12 triple suicide bombings of residential compounds in Riyadh that left 35 people dead.

The closure came after the US embassy renewed on Oct. 27 its existing travel warning for the kingdom, advising US nationals to defer non-essential travel there in light of potential terrorist attacks.

Canada and Australia also issued similar alerts in a move that angered Saudi officials, who believe they have made important strides in fighting terror inside the country.

On Thursday, Saudi security officials said two suspected Islamic extremists blew themselves up after security forces closed in on them in the holy city of Mecca. They said a militant was also gunned down in Riyadh in a shootout that left eight policemen slightly wounded.

That came three days after Saudi authorities said they had foiled a plot to attack pilgrims in the Muslim holy city.

Saudi Arabia has launched a massive crackdown on suspected Islamic militants following the May 12 attacks.

There have been frequent shootouts since then in which both security men and militants have been killed or wounded.

Hundreds of suspected Islamic militants have been detained and authorities reported seizing several large arms caches across the vast kingdom in recent months.