Abdul Wahab Bashir • Arab News Staff

JEDDAH, 25 June 2003 — Interior Minister Prince Naif has said the Saudi people were shocked at the triple suicide attacks that rocked Riyadh last month and the incidents that followed in the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. He described them as the worst criminal acts ever committed.

“It is unfortunate to see some citizens stooping to this level, which is not worthy of any Muslim or Saudi. The incidents that took place in Riyadh, Makkah and Madinah represent a most despicable criminal incidents of their kind,” Prince Naif told reporters in Riyadh after attending the graduation of medical students.

The triple suicide attacks in Riyadh on May 12 left 23 people dead in addition to nine suicide bombers linked to Al-Qaeda organization. In the Makkah clash, two police officers were killed in addition to five Al-Qaeda suspects, while 12 others were arrested.

Prince Naif said the number of people detained following the attacks stood at more than 40. But he urged the press not to rush into publishing news related to the matter unless this was provided by official sources. He said too much publication of news might harm the investigation.

“I hope our press will not rush to publish anything except what is being provided by authorized security sources. Security matters should be taken into consideration, otherwise (such news) could warn those wanted,” the minister was quoted by the Saudi Press Agency as saying.

He commended the security forces for the job they continue to do in protecting the country from harm and praised the citizens for their cooperation.

Prince Naif said families, schools, mosques and the media had a duty to protect the county’s youth from falling victim to subversive thoughts, adding that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and the Saudi leadership would like to see the enlightened and all those who feel they can help come forward and contribute to the fight against extremism. “This is the responsibility of everyone, and we are all required to take our share of the responsibility.”

Last week, while receiving the families of Saudis seized by American forces in Afghanistan and detained at Guantanamo, Prince Naif urged Saudis to do more to stop young Saudis from joining militant ranks.

He said parents must keep a closer watch on their children. “We must take care of ourselves, our sons and our families and not allow anyone to manipulate them,” he said.