Saudis air base blow for US

The Saudi Arabian Government has ruled out the use of bases on its territory for American-led strikes against Afghanistan's ruling Taleban.

"We do not accept the presence in our country of a single solider at war with Muslims or Arabs," Saudi Defence Minister Prince Sultan was quoted as saying in a government-run newspaper on Sunday.

The prince dismissed as nonsense reports that Saudi authorities would allow Washington to use its bases to attack Afghanistan.

However, he did say Saudi airspace could still be used as his country's contribution.

The BBC Middle East correspondent says this implies that America planes could fly over Saudi Arabia in their operations.

Our correspondent says the Saudi Government appears to have bowed to the sensitivies of its Muslim population and refused to have any part in the expected western action.

On Friday, President George W Bush said he was "most pleased" with the co-operation the US was getting from countries in the Middle East for its global campaign against terrorism.

That was seen as confirmation that Saudi Arabia had decided to allow US forces to make use of a vital command centre launch at a military base outside Riyadh.