Saudi terrorists in "final stages of preparation"

Monday, 29 December 2003 12:00 AM

The Foreign Office warned Brits in Saudi Arabia last night to remain vigilant in the face of a possible terror attack.

The Government urged travellers to refrain from all but essential travel to the kingdom.

The FO said terrorists could be in the "final stages of preparation."

The terror threat was not limited to residential compounds, the FO said.

More than 30 people, including two Brits, died in co-ordinated bomb attacks in May. Terrorists killed a further 18 people at the Muhayya residential compound on November 9th.

Islamic suicide bombers were arrested in Saudi Arabia a fortnight ago, according to The Mail on Sunday, on suspicion of planning to fly two light aircraft packed with explosives into a British Airways passenger plane.

The FO warned: "You should maintain a high level of vigilance, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners such as hotels, restaurants and shopping malls. You should adopt a low profile and avoid public gatherings which could lead to disorder."

The Government also announced yesterday it is to use armed sky marshalls on UK passenger planes in light of the heightened state of alert in the US.

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