Deutsche Presse-Agentur  --  Arab News

WASHINGTON, 19 June 2004 — The US State Department told its citizens in Saudi Arabia to leave the country. The department on Thursday reissued a previous travel warning “to remind American citizens of the continuing serious threat to their safety while in Saudi Arabia”.

It said any Americans planning travel to Saudi Arabia should cancel their plans. The US government has already evacuated dependents and non-emergency workers at its embassy and consulates in the country.

The State Department said it reissued Thursday’s warning given last week’s series of attacks in Saudi Arabia that targeted Americans. Two were shot to death, and another, Paul Johnson, 49, an engineer for defense contractor Lockheed Martin, was kidnapped and killed.

“The US government continues to receive credible information indicating that extremists are planning further attacks against US and Western interests,” the warning said.

“Credible information indicates that terrorists continue to target residential compounds in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the Riyadh area, and also compounds throughout the country. Recent incidents indicate that American citizens residing in private residences are also being specifically targeted,” it added.