RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia said on Friday it foiled an al Qaeda-linked plot to attack oil facilities and military bases, arresting more than 170 suspects, including some trainee pilots preparing for suicide operations.

The Interior Ministry, in a statement read on state television, also said police seized weapons and more than 20 million riyals ($5.33 million) in cash, from seven armed cells.

"Some had begun training on the use of weapons, and some were sent to other countries to study aviation in preparation to use them to carry out terrorist operations inside the kingdom," the statement said.

"One of their main targets was to carry out suicide attacks against public figures and oil installations and to target military bases inside and outside (the country)," it added.

Saudi Arabia is the world's top oil exporter, supplying about 7 million barrels a day to world markets. It holds nearly a quarter of the world's oil reserves.

The ministry said the suspects had been "influenced by the deviant ideology," a reference used by Saudi officials to refer to al Qaeda, led by Saudi-born Osama bin Laden.

Most of the 19 al Qaeda militants who commandeered hijacked planes in the September 11 attack on the United States were Saudis.

Islamist militants swearing allegiance to al Qaeda launched a violent campaign to topple the U.S.-allied Saudi monarchy in 2003, carrying out suicide bomb attacks on foreigners and government installations, including the oil industry.

"It is obvious that the deviant group is still trying to revive its criminal activities in the kingdom," Interior Ministry spokesman Mansour al-Turki said.

TRAINING IN "RESTIVE AREAS"

He said that a total of 172 suspects from seven cells have been arrested, mostly Saudis but including some foreigners, who had trained abroad.
http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/new...mber=0&summit=

LMAO! I'll bet these boys wish they were enjoying the fun in the sun at Club Gitmo..... The Saudi's probably aren't quite as nice as us.:thumbsup:

Have a good one!:s4:
Psycho4Bud Reviewed by Psycho4Bud on . Saudi arrests suspects planning oil attacks RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia said on Friday it foiled an al Qaeda-linked plot to attack oil facilities and military bases, arresting more than 170 suspects, including some trainee pilots preparing for suicide operations. The Interior Ministry, in a statement read on state television, also said police seized weapons and more than 20 million riyals ($5.33 million) in cash, from seven armed cells. "Some had begun training on the use of weapons, and some were sent to other countries to Rating: 5