Saudi Arabia warns over 'harassment'

Muslims in the US have feared revenge attacks

Saudi Arabia has said it will call on its citizens to return from the United States if harassment against them persists.

Following the 11 September suicide attacks, Saudi citizens living in the US have reported maltreatment and humiliation from both the public and the authorities.

We were subjected to tremendous pressure and close searches

Abdullah Qattan
Saudi student

The statement by Interior Minister, Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, comes at a time of growing friction between the United States and Saudi Arabia, one of Washington's most strategic allies.

Prince Nayef said the Saudi authorities were working to put an end to the harassment of its citizens.

"But if it continues, we would certainly tell our citizens to come home."

Body searches

Several Saudis have been named as suspects in last month's terror attacks, and Saudis claim that US authorities now deliberately single them out.

"We were subjected to tremendous pressure and close searches, especially while flying between states," said Abdullah Qattan, a student.

Nawaf Alhazmi, a suspected hijacker, is thought to be from Saudi Arabia

"They even used police dogs to search our luggage, and for body searches, while they paid no great attention in searching other nationals. We felt very humiliated."

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, US police investigated dozens of so-called "hate-crimes" against people of Arab appearance.

They included the murders of an Egyptian in Los Angeles, a Sikh in Arizona and a Pakistani Muslim in Texas.

The BBC's Heba Saleh says the issue of harassment is another headache for the Saudi Government, which already finds itself in a difficult position as a result of the US bombing campaign against Afghanistan.

The vast swathe of Saudi public opinion remains totally opposed to the bombing of fellow Muslims in Afghanistan.

Unease has been mounting as the campaign drags on and pictures of dead and injured Afghans fill newspapers. The Saudi press has accused the US of committing genocide against the Afghans.

Washington sees Riyadh as pivotal in holding together Arab and Muslim support for the continuing campaign. Saudi Arabia is also crucial to the US because of its oil.

For its part, the ruling al-Saud family is thought to rely heavily on the US as the ultimate guarantor of its security.