Saudis say suspects in Khobar bombing fled to Iran
Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Monday, May 28, 2001
ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia has acknowledged that authorities have
identified three major suspects in the 1996 bombing of the U.S. military
facility at Khobar.
The London-based Al Hayat daily said Saudi authorities have targeted
three fugitives as being the chief suspects in the bombing. Two them were
identified as Saudi nationals and the third a Lebanese citizen.
The newspaper, which is owned by the ruling Saudi family and reflects the
policy of the kingdom, reported on Saturday that the whereabouts of the
fugitives are not known. But they are believed to have fled to Iran and from
there escaped to an unknown location.
The Khobar truck bombing killed 19 U.S. servicemen and U.S. officials
have been criticial of the slow pace of the Saudi investigation. Saudi
authorities have detained two other suspects in the bombing — both of them
Saudi nationals.
The details of the Saudi investigation were released as Riyad has
launched a new expanded ruling council amid reforms meant to combat such
domestic woes as rising unemployment.
The consultative Shura council began its new session on Saturday in an
expanded version. The new council contains 120 members, 30 more than the
previous body.
The council will again be headed by former Saudi Justice Minister
Mohammed Ibrahim Bin Jubair.
Monday, May 28, 2001
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