Threats close U.S. buildings in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – The U.S. Embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia will close today and Tuesday because of a threat against U.S. government buildings, the embassy said Sunday.

In a statement, the embassy said mission personnel will limit nonofficial travel during the next two days and urged Americans to keep “a high level of vigilance.” The statement did not elaborate on the nature of the threat.

“The American Embassy in Riyadh advises all American citizens living in Saudi Arabia that, in response to a threat against U.S. government buildings in the kingdom, the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and the U.S. consulate generals in Jiddah and Dhahran will be closed on Aug. 8 and 9,” the statement said.

It reminded Americans that, in the past, terrorist groups have targeted housing compounds and other establishments where Westerners may be located.

“American citizens are … advised to exercise caution and maintain good situational awareness when visiting commercial establishments frequented by Westerners or in primarily Western environments,” the statement added.

Hours after the announcement, a Saudi Interior Ministry spokesman, Maj. Gen. Mansour al-Turki, said his government had no information about a possible threat.

“We can’t dispel the possibility of a terrorist attack happening in the region. But we have no information about an imminent terrorist attack in the kingdom,” he said.

The U.S. Embassy warning was the second in two weeks.

On July 25, the embassy warned Americans that militants likely were plotting new terror attacks in the kingdom. It said U.S. military personnel stationed in Saudi Arabia had been instructed to suspend all off-duty leisure travel outside of their work or housing stations.

Australia today warned its citizens not to travel to the country.

“We have received credible reports that terrorists are planning attacks,” Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on its Web site.