Posted on 02/26/2007 11:55:34 AM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
Three French nationals have been shot dead in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi and French governments say. Saudi sources told the BBC that police were treating the incident as a "terrorist attack". The shooting happened near the ruins of Madain Saleh, in north-western Saudi Arabia, which is popular with tourists. Saudi TV said the victims were part of a group of French nationals, some of whom were Muslims heading to the holy city of Mecca on a pilgrimage.
Major General Mansour al-Turki, an interior ministry spokesman, said two men were killed instantly as they rested at the side of the road and came under fire from gunmen. Another died later in hospital and a fourth was in serious condition, he said. Some women and children were also part of the group, but were not hurt, he added. A French diplomatic source, quoted by the French news agency AFP, said an unknown number of attackers "machine-gunned them while they got out [of their vehicle] to go for a walk". Violent campaign French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said in a statement that "several of our compatriots residing in Riyadh were the victims of an armed attack".
"I condemn with the utmost strength this horrible act," he said, promising to lend all support to the Saudi authorities in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner says the attack will come as a blow to the Saudi government, which has been fighting a successful campaign against Islamist militants since they launched a triple truck bombing in 2003. A number of foreigners have been killed - including Frenchman Laurent Barbot, who was shot dead in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah by suspected al-Qaeda militants in September 2004. But there have been no foreigners killed since late 2004.
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There are no terrorists in Saudi Arabia............
If only we would be like France the terrorists would leave us alone....
Hmmm...
3 French Travelers Slain in Saudi Desert
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February 26, 2007 at 10:25:2 PST
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) - Three French travelers were killed by gunmen Monday in the Saudi Arabian desert when they stopped their car to rest on the side of a road leading to the holy city of Medina in an area restricted to Muslims only.
A fourth traveler was seriously wounded in the attack.
Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour al-Turki said it was too early to determine whether the attacks were terror-related. Saudi Arabia has been waging an intense campaign against al-Qaida militants since a wave of suicide attacks on foreigners in the kingdom in 2003.
"Undoubtedly this is a criminal act, but it's too early to determine their motives and whether it is terrorism," al-Turki said.
The travelers were resting on the side of a road about 10 miles north of Medina when gunmen fired at their car, instantly killing two of the men. The third man died later after he was taken to a hospital, and the fourth Frenchman was in serious condition at an area hospital, al-Turki said.
Women and children also were with the group but they were uninjured.
The area the group was traveling in is restricted for Muslims only. Non-Muslims are barred from the area around Medina and neighboring Mecca, the holiest cities in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca, where he began spreading the message of Islam, until he fled to Medina. From Medina, he spread Islam until he died and was buried in the city. Muslims perform the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and usually visit Medina as well.
Al-Turki said the French travelers were probably Muslim pilgrims. But it was possible they were traveling to another ancient site north of Medina where the Saudi government recently started allowing non-Muslims to visit.
In France, Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said the French ambassador to Saudi Arabia and counsel general plan to visit the site of the attack and talk with Saudi authorities.
"I condemn this horrible act. I express my profound sympathy to the family and friends of the victims," Douste-Blazy said in a statement. "French authorities are mobilized along with the Saudi authorities, so that light be shed and that those responsible be detained and punished."
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Right...See the AP report....
But, but, the French didn't go to Iraq.
Yeah, the Saudi government condemns this barbaric act -- while continuing to lavishly reward and finance palestinian suicide bombers, fanatical hate-mongering mullahs and islamic terrorists worldwide.
When is Chirac going to go to Saudi Arabia for to sign the official document that says France surrenders unconditionally?
Merde sainte nous sommes soumis aux attaques ! ! ! Nous devons nous rendre immédiatement ! ! ! !
Very sad news.
They were in an area restricted to Muslims only. And I do believe the punishment for this in Saudi Arabia is death. Whoever shot the tourists actually saved the government some paperwork by taking care of the infidels themselves.
the French now travel to Mecca?
good grief.
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