U.S. warns travelers of Saudi threat
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The State Department updated its travel warning for Saudi Arabia Wednesday, saying the U.S. government has received information about threats involving Western targets, including some directed at civil aviation.
The update came the same day British Airways announced it was suspending its flights to the kingdom because of "some security shortcomings" at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. (Full story)
The suspension was also in response to a document seized in a car during anti-terror searches in Saudi Arabia that detailed the casing of the airport, a U.S. official told CNN.
A U.S. official said British Airways specifically was mentioned in materials seized by Saudi authorities during recent anti-terror arrests, but didn't elaborate.
The State Department warning noted credible information but did not give details.
"The U.S. government has received indications of terrorist threats aimed at American and Western interests, including the targeting of transportation and civil aviation," said the latest warning, which supersedes one issued July 24.
"There is credible information that terrorists have targeted Western aviation interests in Saudi Arabia," the warning said.
The warning also cautioned U.S. citizens living in the kingdom to remain vigilant, particularly in public places, and urged Americans thinking of visiting Saudi Arabia to put off their trips if they were not urgent.
On May 12, there were nearly simultaneous bombings at three compounds housing Westerners in Riyadh. The suicide bombings killed 23 people, including nine Americans. Twelve other bodies were identified as attackers. U.S. and Saudi authorities suspect the bombings were organized by al Qaeda.
