Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09EFTORIYADH1110
2009-08-28 08:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
SAUDI ARABIA: ASSISTANT INTERIOR MINISTER SURVIVES
how-toVZCZCXRO4111 OO RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR DE RUEHRH #1110 2400829 ZNY EEEEE ZZH O 280829Z AUG 09 ZDS FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1457 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS E F T O RIYADH 001110
C O R R E C T E D COPY(PARA MARKINGS AND CLASSIFICATION)
SENSITIVE
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC PTER SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI ARABIA: ASSISTANT INTERIOR MINISTER SURVIVES
ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
UNCLAS E F T O RIYADH 001110
C O R R E C T E D COPY(PARA MARKINGS AND CLASSIFICATION)
SENSITIVE
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC PTER SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI ARABIA: ASSISTANT INTERIOR MINISTER SURVIVES
ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
1. (U) Prince Mohammed bin Naif (MbN),Assistant Interior
Minister for Security Affairs, escaped an assassination
attempt on August 27 when a suicide bomber detonated himself
at the Prince's palace in Jeddah. MbN was treated for minor
injuries and then released. There were no other casualties.
2. (SBU/NF) According to an official statement, the would-be
assassin entered the palace as part of a group of
well-wishers coming to pay traditional Ramadan greetings.
The assailant was described as a wanted terrorist, who had
previously expressed a desire to surrender. He reportedly
detonated himself during the security check. RSO sources
informally told us that the assailant may have collapsed or
fainted and fallen to the floor prior to the detonation,
lessening the damage caused by the explosion.
3. (U) MbN, the son of Second Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Interior Prince Naif, is responsible for
day-to-day operations at the MOI and widely credited as the
driving force behind the Kingdom's post-2003 crackdown on
domestic terrorism. The attack on the Prince comes less than
a week after the announcement that 44 suspected Al-Qaeda
militants had been arrested as part of a year-long sting
operation, and amidst reports of increased tension and
military activity along the Saudi-Yemeni border.
4. (U) Post is following up with contacts and will report
additional information as it becomes available.
ERDMAN
C O R R E C T E D COPY(PARA MARKINGS AND CLASSIFICATION)
SENSITIVE
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC PTER SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI ARABIA: ASSISTANT INTERIOR MINISTER SURVIVES
ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
1. (U) Prince Mohammed bin Naif (MbN),Assistant Interior
Minister for Security Affairs, escaped an assassination
attempt on August 27 when a suicide bomber detonated himself
at the Prince's palace in Jeddah. MbN was treated for minor
injuries and then released. There were no other casualties.
2. (SBU/NF) According to an official statement, the would-be
assassin entered the palace as part of a group of
well-wishers coming to pay traditional Ramadan greetings.
The assailant was described as a wanted terrorist, who had
previously expressed a desire to surrender. He reportedly
detonated himself during the security check. RSO sources
informally told us that the assailant may have collapsed or
fainted and fallen to the floor prior to the detonation,
lessening the damage caused by the explosion.
3. (U) MbN, the son of Second Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Interior Prince Naif, is responsible for
day-to-day operations at the MOI and widely credited as the
driving force behind the Kingdom's post-2003 crackdown on
domestic terrorism. The attack on the Prince comes less than
a week after the announcement that 44 suspected Al-Qaeda
militants had been arrested as part of a year-long sting
operation, and amidst reports of increased tension and
military activity along the Saudi-Yemeni border.
4. (U) Post is following up with contacts and will report
additional information as it becomes available.
ERDMAN