Washington, July 25: The United States has authorised the return to Saudi Arabia of US diplomats and their families who had been ordered to leave the country after deadly terrorist attacks in Riyadh three months ago. At the same time, though, the State Department kept in place a warning for US citizens to defer all nonessential travel to Saudi Arabia, noting that the threat of terrorism there remained.
"The Department of State has authorized the return of all employees and family members to the US Embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia, effective immediately," it said in a statement yesterday. "Although the Department of State has authorised the return of all personnel and family members to the US Embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia, the department warns US citizens to defer nonessential travel there," it added.
"US citizens are reminded of remaining security concerns and the potential for further terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia," said the statement. The department said there continued to be a threat of such strikes throughout the Gulf region.
Yesterday's warning replaced an existing May 13 alert in which the department ordered nonessential US diplomats at its embassy and two consulates in Saudi Arabia to leave the country a day after the deadly attacks in Riyadh.
The earlier warning also recommended private US citizens already in Saudi Arabia to consider leaving the country in the wake of the Riyadh car bombings that have been blamed on al-Qaeda, a militant group led by Saudi-born Osama bin Laden. Bureau Report