Wellington, Nov 10: New Zealand has warned against nonessential travel to Saudi Arabia and suggested that its citizens there make plans to leave, after a bomb killed at least 17 people in the capital, Riyadh. "New Zealanders are alerted to warnings of further terrorist attacks aimed at western interests and ... Of credible threats to civil aviation in Saudi Arabia," The Foreign Ministry said on its web site today. The travel advisory was updated following Saturday's car bomb attack at a compound for foreigners in Riyadh, which killed at least 17 and wounded dozens.
"There is a continuing risk of being caught inadvertently in terrorist incidents such as the bombing," it warned. New Zealanders in Saudi Arabia should "maintain a high level of vigilance, be security conscious, avoid crowded or landmark places and places where westerners gather. They should make contingency arrangements for departure from the country if they have concerns for their safety." Foreign Minister Phil Goff said about 450 people registered with the New Zealand Embassy in Riyadh had been warned about terrorist danger days before Saturday's bombing.

Bureau Reprot