US Citizens Advised to Avoid Saudi Arabia

The US government warned American citizens today to avoid all non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia following "credible" intelligence suggesting a terror threat to western airlines.

Washington's advisory comes just days after the Foreign Office made a similar warning to Britons last Friday saying the terror threat was "particularly serious at this time".

Today's US advisory said: "The US government continues to receive indications of terrorist threats aimed at American and western interests, including the targeting of transportation and civil aviation ...There is credible information that terrorists have targeted western aviation interests in Saudi Arabia."

US citizens already in the Gulf state were urged to be vigilant, "particularly in public places". The US embassy in the Saudi capital Riyadh has already warned of possible attacks during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which started yesterday.

At the weekend, however, Saudi officials expressed displeasure at travel warnings over imminent terrorism fears and vowed to stop any plots.

Al-Qaida, which originated in Saudi Arabia, is suspected of attacking an expatriate housing compound in Riyadh in May, killing 35 people. The Saudi government responded by promising a crackdown on militants.

Meanwhile today, US justice department records showed that Saudi Arabia has spent more than £10m on public relations, advertising and lobbying since the September 11 attacks. The PR offensive is being made in an effort to convince Americans it is committed to fighting terrorism despite 15 of the 19 hijackers being Saudi citizens.

The Saudis have hired three well-connected Washington lobbying and law firms to advance their case in the US capital. Nail al-Jubeir, spokesman for the Saudi embassy in Washington, said: "The main purpose of the campaign is to get our voice out to the American people" and counter voices critical of the Saudi government, religion and culture.