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Monday, March 31, 2008       Free Headline Alerts

Saudis launch oil security force

ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia has grduated the first officers for its new oil security force.

Interior Ministry officials said the first group of security officers was comprised of 1,554 officers who graduated a year-long course on March 29.

Under the Saudi plan, the oil protection force would reach 35,000 officers. Officials said the cadets would be trained to protect oil refineries and other facilities deemed critical. In 2006, Al Qaida operatives struck the Saudi oil refinery at Abqaiq.

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The United States has helped train the Saudi force. Riyad and Washington have been engaged in a dialogue on how to enhance security at Saudi oil wells, refineries and other facilities.

The commander of the new force, Maj. Gen. Saad Al Majed, said courses for the oil protection unit began in 2007. Al Majed said the courses also sought to train cadets to defend government ministries and other offices of the kingdom.

"Some 8,200 officers attended the courses, out of whom 4,850 graduated," Al Majed said.



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