Interpol issues Saudi group alert

The alert will go out to 187 countries

Interpol has issued security alerts for 85 men thought to be plotting attacks against Saudi Arabia, in its largest-ever group alert.

The police agency, in the French city of Lyon, issued a worldwide security notice for 83 Saudis and two Yemenis.

Saudi officials released the list of suspects last week.

The men, described as "highly dangerous", are thought to be planning attacks on oil and security facilities in Saudi Arabia.

'Especially vigilant'

Some of those on the list were thought to have links to al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Afghanistan, Interpol said in a statement.

The suspects "could be armed, violent and suicidal", the agency said.

The men are thought to be between 20 and 35, and most are thought to have left Saudi Arabia for Iraq and Afghanistan, the AFP news agency reported.

It is the first time the agency has issued an "Orange notice" alert for such a large group of suspects. The alert goes to all of Interpol's 187 member countries.

Mr Noble said the men were a security concern to the entire world

"By asking for Interpol's assistance, Saudi Arabia wishes to ensure that all Interpol member countries are made aware that these men are dangerous and that their activities represent a security concern not only for Saudi Arabia and the entire region but also for the world as a whole," said Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble.

"We know that we are approaching the 16th anniversary of the first World Trade Center bombing on 26 February 2009 and therefore must be especially vigilant of fugitive al-Qaeda terrorists," he said.

In Riyadh, the Saudi Interior Ministry spokesman, General Mansur al-Turki, said the men's whereabouts were unknown but the alert "will put some pressure on them to limit their movements", AFP reported.

"These people are always on the run," he added.

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