US shuts embassy in Saudi Arabia after "crusader" warning

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L08135502.htm

RIYADH, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Washington's decision to shut its embassy in Saudi Arabia was based on fresh information about Muslim militants' plans in the kingdom and followed a call to target Western "crusaders", diplomats said on Saturday.

The U.S. embassy in Riyadh and its consulates in the coastal cities of Jeddah and Dhahran were all closed on Saturday -- a working day in the Gulf -- after what the United States said was credible information "terrorists" were about to strike.

Its warning to U.S. citizens in the kingdom followed raids in which five militants suspected of links to Saudi-born Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda movement were killed since Monday.

Bin Laden, in an audio tape last month, vowed more suicide attacks inside and outside the United States and both Washington and London dramatically raised their threat warnings to nationals in the Gulf Arab state in late October.

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[LeftistGorilla]

1. someone should...

let the Saudis know they are allies....

with friends like that...

[Bridget Burke]

2. How many Americans live in SA? 40,000?

That was the number in this article from last May. They mostly work for US companies there.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3024081.stm

This number probably includes family members. I've known people who've worked there--there are compounds with schools & everything.

So, things get dangerous & our Embassy shuts down. Are the other Americans getting out, too? What if they have problems? If it's such a great emergency, shouldn't Embassy personnel build up security & remain long enough to protect US Citizens as they get out?

There are many nationals of other countries in SA--what are their governments doing?

[readmylips]

3. The Big Nukie Bomb is Coming to Iraq....

little man bushie has to proof that he's heartless. As if we didn't know.

[Ernesto]

4. ???