Saudi Arabia’s security services have not been infiltrated by Al-Qaeda, the interior minister said in remarks published Thursday following reports that servicemen helped abduct a US national. "The men of the Saudi security (apparatus) are too dignified and honorable to include such (elements). Be fully confident of that," Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz was quoted by newspapers as telling reporters Wednesday night.
| And if you can't believe the word of a Saudi prince, who can you believe? |
"No weapons were taken from military sides (to carry out terrorist attacks). This is certain," he added.
| "I mean, like, we asked and everything!" |
| "No thanks, we have plenty as it is!" |
It was the umpteenth second official denial of a claim which appeared on an Al-Qaeda-linked website to the effect that militants from the terror group had infiltrated the security forces, who helped them kidnap American engineer Paul Johnson in Riyadh on June 12. An adviser to Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz had on Monday also dismissed the claim of infiltration, saying there was no evidence of collaboration between the security services and the terrorists. It is "very easy" to obtain military uniforms or to "take cars and paint them to look like police cars," Adel al-Jubeir said. A Saudi newspaper reported on Tuesday that security forces found planted evidence sewing machines and fabric used to sew military uniforms, as well as military fatigues "ready for use," during raids of suspects’ hideouts. Okaz said the military-style clothing was intended for use by the terrorists to pass themselves off as security forces. |