UK issues Saudi Arabia warning
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LONDON, England (CNN) -- British nationals should forgo all but "essential" travel to Saudi Arabia because of possible terrorist attacks that "may be in the final stages of preparation," according to the British Foreign Office.
"We believe that terrorists remain determined to carry out further attacks in Saudi Arabia," the Foreign Office said in a statement Monday.
"If you choose to travel to, or remain in, Saudi Arabia, you should take all necessary steps to protect your safety."
For security reasons, British Airways canceled a flight Monday from London to Riyadh, the Saudi capital. However, the return flight on Tuesday will fly as scheduled, the Foreign Office said.
On Friday, the Saudi Interior Ministry warned residents of Riyadh, the Saudi capital, that a wanted militant may be planning a terrorist attack with a car bomb.
Britons in Saudi Arabia were warned to keep a low profile, avoid public gatherings and maintain a "high level of vigilance" in hotels, restaurants and shopping areas frequented by foreigners.
The Foreign Office had already advised British nationals against all nonessential travel to Saudi Arabia, saying it believed terrorists are determined to carry out further attacks in the country.
Terrorists carried out attacks in the Saudi capital twice last year.
On November 9, they attacked the Muhayya residential compound in Riyadh, killing 18 people and injuring more than 80.
That followed coordinated bomb attacks against residential compounds in Riyadh on May 12, which killed more than 30 people, including two British nationals. Many more were injured.
The November attack came one day after the U.S. Embassy announced it would close temporarily over concerns of rising terror threats.
Copyright 2004 CNN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
