US national security advisor Condoleezza Rice warned on Monday that Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network has become a "serious threat" in Saudi Arabia and confirmed that it is a dangerous place for foreigners to stay.
After the killing of three foreigners in less than a week, the Bush administration is increasingly concerned about events in the kingdom, Rice and other top officials have indicated.
She linked Al-Qaeda to attacks in Saudi Arabia going back to a suicide car bomb in Riyadh on May 12.
"There is no doubt that this is an area in which Al-Qaeda is trying to make a mark. And we've known this for some time," Rice told CNN television.
"We're working very, very well with the Saudi government, with the Saudi security forces to try and to deal with this Al-Qaeda threat. But yes, it is a serious threat.
"The Saudi government is aware that it's a serious threat. We're working very well together through both intelligence and law enforcement channels to try to deal with it."
Rice said the Saudi government has actively cooperated in the fight against terrorism, in intelligence gathering and cutting off financing, since the May 12 attack. (albawaba.com)
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