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Saudis pleased by commandos' performance in hijack drama

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Monday, March 19, 2001

NICOSIA — Saudi leaders are pleased by the performance of their commandos in ending a hostage standoff with Chechen hijackers.

Officials said Saudi commandos conducted a clean operation in freeing more than 100 hostages trapped on a Russian airliner commandeered by Chechen separatists. Three people were killed in the operation, which Saudi sources said lasted three minutes.

Three of the suspected hijackers were captured.

"A unit of the Saudi anti-terrorist force raided the plane, freed the hostages and arrested the three hijackers in a quick operation," a Saudi Interior Ministry spokesman said.

Saudi sources said the commando operation was approved by Russian officials in Moscow. The Saudi unit was comprised of more than 30 commandos in full battle gear, semi-automatic rifles and bullet proof vests. The commandos were supported by two Saudi air force cargo planes and four armored personnel carriers.

The sources said Riyad rejected a request by Russia to fly a commando force to retake the plane. They said the Saudi force was not helped by any foreigners.

At the same time, Saudi authorities are investigating another bombing that rocked the capital Riyad that left foreigners injured. The attack took place in a building that houses the London-based Al Hayat newspaper office.

Monday, March 19, 2001


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