Hassan Al-Husseini, director of communications at SAGIA, condemned the attacks on American and other nationals.

“It is hateful that some individuals are focused on terrorism as a means of communication,” he said in a statement. “We deeply regret the loss of innocent lives to terrorism and offer our condolences to the families of those who died.”

He said Americans and other expatriates had lived and worked peacefully alongside Saudis since oil exploration began in 1933. “We have third generation Americans who were born and raised in Saudi Arabia,” he added. “This type of attack is alien to Saudi Arabia and reflects a tragic departure,” the official said. “We have over five million expatriates representing many nationalities working and living here, and the life of each one is important to us,” he said.