Questions over US troops' Saudi future

US troops may be forced to leave Saudi Arabia

By Roger Hardy BBC Middle East analyst

Saudi Arabia says a report suggesting it will ask United States forces to leave after the Iraq crisis is speculative.

The New York Times reported on Sunday that the decision was the result of a far-reaching debate within the ruling family about the country's future.

If they are indeed planning a dramatic change in the US-Saudi relationship, the cautious Saudi princes are not yet ready to say so publicly.

Saudi Arabia is a key strategic US ally

But the idea of sending home the 5,000 American military personnel currently on Saudi soil is not new.

There are signs it was under consideration before the 11 September attacks on America - and as a result of those attacks was put on the back-burner.

Now the idea is being revived.

A number of senior princes clearly feel that if there is a war against Iraq - and Iraq is defeated and disarmed - then the rationale for stationing US troops in Saudi Arabia will, arguably, be removed.

No less important, the New York Times reports that the top princes have decided to introduce political reforms which would lead - over a six-year period - to an elected parliament.

At present the ruling family receives advice from an unelected consultative council.

Opposition

The paper predicts opposition from religious conservatives.

In the past Saudi rulers have sometimes promised change but not delivered it.

But what is different this time is, first, that the country's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Abdullah, seems committed to reform.

Secondly, America's 'war on terror' is generating new pressures for change which the region's rulers are being forced to confront.