Prince Saud said "There must be a chance to investigate anyone proven to be involved in terrorism, wherever he is, and he must handed over to the authorities that want him..." The so-called opposition in London falls into this category and it is not acceptable to claim that extraditing these suspects is illegal because they are considered opponents of the Saudi regime.
Riyadh accuses Saad Al-Faqih and Mohammed Al-Masaari of links to a gunman involved in the Yanbu attack. Al-Faqih, who runs a human rights group, has rejected these claims.
Saudi Arabia has been battling militants linked to Osama Bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network for over a year. An attack claimed by the group last week killed 22 people in Al-Khobar. "These evil criminal acts will not divert the state from its determination to combat this isolated deviant group... which is now attacking easy and random targets," Prince Saud said. Referring to the escape of three terrorists in the Al-Khobar hostage drama last week, the minister said that security forces had given priority to the safety of hostages but the government would continue to hunt down all terrorists. He added that the government had taken extra security measures to protect Saudis and expatriates.
Prince Saud also backed a recent GCC resolution welcoming the new interim government in Baghdad, hoping it would "respond to the aspirations of the Iraqi people to form a legitimate government...and regain complete sovereignty". But he said Iraq must have a legitimate and independent government before Arab countries would consider sending peacekeepers. The interim government, which the UN helped to form, is to hold office until the national elections due in January 2005, but cannot as yet be regarded as legitimate and independent. When it attains full sovereignty and the occupiers leave, the Arab League may send Arab forces to replace them.
Washington has said its troops will remain in Iraq after June 30th to help combat guerrilla attacks.
Saudi Gazette, Saudi Arabia, 7 June 2004Summary of report from Taif
Eight banking organizations will be merged during the next few days under the name Al-Watan Bank, according to Arabic daily Okaz. A committee is putting the final touches to the merger. The president and general manager for the new bank have been selected. Share subscriptions and other matters will be announced afterwards.
Sources said the merger would strengthen the Saudi banking sector against of the challenges of globalization and the resultant competition with international banks. It will put all banking transactions and operations under the direct supervision of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA). The banks to be merged are not currently under the direct supervision of SAMA, but each of them has a monitoring unit reporting to SAMA.
Sources denied staff would be laid off after the merger but added that restructuring and distribution of jobs will be undertaken at all the new branches. A form will be distributed to the employees who will indicate the area where they would prefer to work. There are currently 2,000 employees working in the eight banking organizations and the new bank may need a larger number. A special company will evaluate all employees, their qualifications and the nature of their work.
The following eight banking establishments will be merged: Al-Injaaz, Al-Ramaizi, Al-Amoudi, Al-Hizaa, Al-Sairfi, Al-Subaei and two Al-Rajhi commercial banks.
