Posted on 05/21/2003 2:28:59 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
Security sources in Saudi Arabia said Wednesday that they recently arrested three Al-Qaida operatives holding Moroccan citizenship who plotted to hijack a civilian airliner and crash it into a Jiddah building.
But Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef later Wednesday denied that the men arrested trying to board a Saudi airliner had been planning a September 11 style suicide attack, Saudi television reported.
"There is no truth in this. The truth is that those who were arrested were two Moroccans who were wanted over previous security cases," Saudi television quoted Prince Nayef as saying. The television report gave no more details.
The Saudis security sources told CNN earlier on Wednesday that the three men, armed with knives, were arrested on Monday evening at the Jiddah airport as they were about to board a Saudi jet heading for the Sudan.
"There was confusion at passport clearance. The three were behaving suspiciously. When asked if they were traveling together, one said 'no' and one said 'yes'. Then they were arrested," a Saudi security source said.
According to Saudi sources, the Moroccan detainees are associated with the same Al-Qaida cell that carried out the series of suicide bombings in Riyadh last week in which 34 people were killed.
Saudi police established during questioning that the men were planning to hijack the plane and crash it into the headquarters of the kingdom's National Commercial Bank in Jeddah in a September 11-style attack, the source added.
One of the arrested men was on a Saudi list of wanted suspects.
Al-Qaida urges attacks on Jews, Americans
Qatar's Al Jazeera television aired on Wednesday what it said was an audio tape purportedly from Osama bin Laden's top aide in which he urged Muslims to intensify their jihad, or holy war, against Americans and Jews.
"Protests, demonstrations and conferences are of no use to you," senior Al-Qaida official Ayman al-Zawahri purportedly said in the recording. "The only thing that will benefit you is carrying arms and spiting your enemies, the Americans and Jews."
"The crusaders and the Jews only understand the language of murder and bloodshed and are only convinced by coffins, destroyed interests, burning towers and a shattered economy."
Al-Zawahri also urged Muslims to strike the embassies and commercial interests of the United States, Britain, Australia and Norway in their own countries.
Iraqis were not alone in fighting the U.S. "occupation" of their country, the tape also said.
"Attack the missions of the United States, the UK, Australia and Norway and their interests, companies and employees. Turn the ground beneath their feet into an inferno and kick them out of your countries," said the tape, which was broadcast by Qatar's Al Jazeera television on Wednesday.
"Know that you are not alone in this battle. Your mujahideen brothers are following the enemies as well and are lying in wait for them."
Great View of the Red Sea and the sunsets were spectacular.
That place was decked out! You also had a great bird's-eye view of the compound where Lawrence of Arabia used to live in during his years in Arabia.
Prince Nayef must have gone to the same school as Baghdad Bob!
What's the point of foiling the hijackers if you're going to crash the plane anyway?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.