Saudi Arabia warns of `disastrous consequences` over US 9/11 law

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia on Thursday warned of "disastrous consequences" from a United States law allowing 9/11 victims to sue the kingdom.

A foreign ministry source called on the US Congress "to take the necessary measures to counter the disastrous and dangerous consequences" of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) on relations between states.

The unnamed spokesman, cited by the official Saudi Press Agency, said the law is "a source of great worry."

Congress voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to override President Barack Obama`s veto of the act.

JASTA allows attack survivors and relatives of terrorism victims to pursue cases against foreign governments in US federal court and to demand compensation if such governments are proven to bear some responsibility for attacks on US soil.

This law "weakens the immunity of states", and will have a negative impact on all countries "including the United States," the Saudi spokesman said, expressing hope that "wisdom will prevail."

In opposing the law, Obama said it would harm US interests by undermining the principle of sovereign immunity, opening up the US to private lawsuits over its military missions abroad.