"Saudi Arabian airport security stepped up after 'missiles seized'"

Thursday, September 4, 2003

Airport security stepped up after 'missiles seized' 
ananova.com


Security has been stepped up at a Saudi Arabian airport to which British
Airways flies following the reported seizure of missiles capable of bringing
down aircraft.

The seizure follows the suspension last month of BA flights from London to
Riyadh and Jeddah because of "heightened security concerns in the region".

Saudi authorities told the BBC they had seized a lorry-load of
surface-to-air missiles, destined for an unnamed terrorist group, on a
desert road near Jeddah.

BA said today that "additionally robust security measures" were now in place
at Riyadh and Jeddah airports but its flights to Saudi Arabia remained
suspended.

A spokeswoman for the airline added: "We are reviewing the situation on a
daily basis.

"We have been undertaking a thorough review of security arrangements at
Riyadh and Jeddah airports in full co-operation with the UK's Department for
Transport (DfT) and the Saudi authorities.

"As a result of that review, additionally robust security measures are in
place. Our flights remain suspended."

BA suspended flights to Saudi Arabia on August 13 after the DfT said there
was "credible intelligence of a serious threat to UK aviation interests in
Saudi Arabia".

Saudi police said the latest seized missiles had been smuggled from Yemen.


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