Britons targeted in new Saudi bomb attack

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi officials say they believe a car bomb attack in Riyadh that injured three Britons was personally motivated, rather than political.

Two men and one woman suffered minor injuries in the explosion.

Britain's Foreign Office has confirmed that the men worked for Al-Salam Aircraft Co, a Saudi firm half-owned by the U.S. aircraft giant Boeing.

The company is involved in modification and maintenance work on civilian and military aircraft imported from overseas.

It is the second car bomb attack against British expatriates in Saudi Arabia in less than a week. Last Friday British engineer Christopher Rodway was killed in a similar blast.

Britain has advised its 26,000 nationals in Saudi to take extra security precautions. These include keeping a low profile, avoiding crowded places and being careful when parking cars.

A spokeswoman for the British embassy in the Saudi capital said of the latest attack: "We need to be clear and know exactly what happened and as soon as we know we will be updating the travel advisory.

"There will be a warden's advice to British citizens. That is under review now. We are working with the Saudi authorities to find out what happened."

No one has claimed responsibility for either of the attacks but tensions are high in the region in the wake of the recent upsurge in Israeli-Palestinian violence.

Six weeks ago a bomb was thrown at the British Embassy in Yemen a day after an apparent suicide bombing crippled a U.S. naval destroyer in Aden, killing 17 crew members.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Britons in Saudi Arabia warned be on guard
November 19, 2000
Motive for Saudi blast remains a mystery
November 18, 2000
Briton dies in Saudi blast
November 17, 2000
'Bomb attack' on British embassy in Yemen
October 13, 2000

UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office
British Embassy in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia Information Resource

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