ABU DHABI Ñ The United States has warned the 30,000 Americans living in
Saudi Arabia to remain indoors as they are coming under increasing threat
from Islamic demonstrators.
The Saudi protests have also led to U.S. military orders for American
military personnel to remain indoors. The orders were first distributed in
February during the Haj pilgrimage, Middle East Newsline reported.
The State Department warning specified Americans in the area of Jedda. A U.S. Consulate statement urged all nationals in Saudi Arabia to exercise "great care"
if they leave their homes.
Eastern Saudi Arabia, where most of the Americans live, has been
targeted for increasingly strident anti-Israeli and anti-U.S. protests. Last
week, Saudi Arabia has banned all such demonstrations and scores of
suspected organizers have been arrested.
The Saudi ban came after demonstrators massed in front of the U.S.
Consulate in Dhahran, where many U.S. soldiers are being deployed. Saudi
forces were called to disperse the protesters.
[On Saturday, the U.S. embassy in Bahrain was overrun by rioters who
clashed with marine guards. The rioters torched embassy vehicles, smashed
windows and broke into the compound.]
In another demonstration, several thousand Saudis tried to demonstrate
near the oil fields in Dhahran. Opposition sources said the demonstrators
called for a halt of oil supplies to the United States.
Earlier, Saudi protesters burned the Israeli and U.S. flags in a series
of unauthorized demonstrations, one of which included more than 1,000
people. Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz called on Saudis
to end their protests and contribute money to Palestinian charities.
"This behavior is not permitted because it is not in compliance with our
social status and the historical militant stances of Saudi Arabia with the
Palestinian people throughout its long history," Nayef was quoted by the
Saudi Press Agency as saying.
On Saturday, the Washington Post reported that the Pentagon has prepared
detailed plans to move its military command post in Saudi Arabia to Qatar.
The newspaper said the military is quietly relocating to Qatar's Al Udeid
Air Base.
