'Spectacular' feared after Saudi carnage
By Michael Theodoulou in Nicosia and Daniel McGrory
Murdered Briton dragged through city as 22 believed dead
INTELLIGENCE agencies believe that Islamic terrorists behind the weekend kidnapping and murder of Westerners in Saudi Arabia are close to staging “a spectacular attack” which will cause devastating loss of life.
Their warnings come after at least 22 people died, including a Briton whose body was dragged through the streets of the port city of al-Khobar. Nine hostages died after their throats were cut.
Saudi special forces mounted a rescue operation and said that they had arrested the leader of the kidnappers. An official said that at least one of the gunmen had been killed. Three others escaped.
Last night the British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia said: “Further attacks may be in the final stages of preparation.”
Intelligence sources fear that al-Qaeda sympathisers are finalising plans for an attack on a key oil installation or the causeway linking Saudi Arabia to Bahrain.