Saudi terror plot 'in final stages'

An attack on foreign workers' homes killed more than 30 people

Terrorists in Saudi Arabia "may be in the final phases of planning attacks", the British Foreign Office has warned.

The fear of an imminent attack led it to raise its security advice to all Britons planning a trip to the Middle Eastern country.

In a statement issued on Friday night it said: "We advise British nationals against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia."

BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said the plot was thought to be linked to terror group al-Qaeda.

On Thursday, Australia issued a similar warning and advised its citizens not to travel to Saudi Arabia.

"There is new information suggesting that further terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia may be in the final stages of planning," the Australian Government warning said.

'Be vigilant'

The previous UK travel warning had simply said that attacks against Westerners were "likely".

The amended advice was issued after an assessment found the terrorism threat to be "particularly serious at this time," the Foreign Office said.

It warned: "If you choose to travel to, or remain in, Saudi Arabia you should take all necessary steps to protect your safety and should make sure you have confidence in your individual security arrangements."

Anyone visiting Saudi Arabia should keep a low profile and avoid public gatherings, it said.

Travellers were also told to be vigilant, especially in public places popular with foreigners - such as hotels and shopping malls.

'Real problem'

Frank Gardner said: "I would suspect that, because the warnings have now come out, the people who are planning these attacks - who are thought to be linked to al-Qaeda - may well change their plans.

"But having said that there was a similar warning a few days before the Riyadh bombings on 12 May in Saudi Arabia and that didn't stop them carrying out the attack."

Gardner said Saudi Arabia had a "real problem" at the moment with terrorist groups, which were well armed.

The Foreign Office warning is the latest in a series of alerts it has issued about the safety of Britons and other Westerners in Saudi Arabia.

On 12 May two Britons were among 35 people killed when coordinated bomb attacks targeted foreign workers' residential compounds in Riyadh.

On Thursday Saudi officials said 600 alleged militants with links to al-Qaeda had been arrested as part of a massive crackdown since the attacks.

British flights to the country were temporarily suspended following "credible information" that they could be attacked.