Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia has again warned its citizens not to travel
to Syria.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry renewed its warning against visiting Syria
amid the Sunni revolt.

The ministry said it could not ensure the safety of Saudis in Syria, long a favorite venue for summer vacation.

The regime of President Bashar Assad has identified Saudi
Arabia as a leading supporter of the Sunni revolt.

In March 2012, Riyad closed the Saudi embassy in Damascus and recalled all staffers. The latest Foreign Ministry statement did not say how many Saudis were believed to be still in Syria.

“It urges citizens present in the country to leave,” the Foreign
Ministry said.

“In view of the continuing deterioration of the security situation in
Syria, the Foreign Ministry renews its advice and its warning to all
citizens against travel to Syria in order to ensure their safety and
security and to avoid being exposed to any mishaps,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

[On May 10, two powerful bombs exploded outside Syrian Military
Intelligence in Damascus, killing 40 and injuring more than 70 people, many
of them Syrian soldiers. The Syrian government blamed Sunni rebels for the
attack.]

In a statement on May 6, the Foreign Ministry did not cite additional
dangers in Syria.

  Bashar Assad, Saudi Foreign Ministry, Saudi vacationers, Saudis warned against visiting favored Syrian vacation spots, Sunni revolt, Syrian Military Intelligence