Expats fear attacks backlash

A blast in Saudi Arabia killed one American on Saturday

		By the BBC's Frank Gardner

British and US citizens in the Middle East are being advised to keep a low profile amid fears of retaliation following western attacks on targets in Afghanistan on Sunday.

In Oman, where 23,000 British troops are currently on exercise, extra security precautions are being taken for the British community.

Security has been tightened at the British embassy and a 24-hour consular advice line set up for the estimated 6,500 British expatriates living in this Gulf Arab state.

The embassy has also advised two British schools here to remain closed for the next day or two while it assesses any possible risks to British citizens.

Submarine strikes

Such precautions could prove unnecessary here in Oman.

A major military exercise is under way in Oman

This is a peaceful, hospitable country ruled by a pro-Western monarch.

But many young Omanis oppose Western military action against Afghanistan, a fellow Muslim state.

They will now be digesting the news that three British submarines were involved in the strikes against Taleban positions, operating not far from Oman in international waters.

Elsewhere in the Gulf, Westerners were already on a high state of alert even before the attacks took place in Afghanistan.

Although violence is rare in this part of the Middle East, nerves have been jangled by a bomb attack on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

One American was killed along with another man and four people were injured, including a Briton.