WASHINGTON (voa) – Saudi Arabia is reported ready to allow the United States to use a key Saudi airbase as part of its effort strike against terrorism.
The Washington Post reports Saudi Arabia has agreed to U.S. requests to use the Prince Sultan base, located southeast of Riyadh. The United States already stations aircraft at the base and has installed a sophisticated command, control, and communications center there. The facility could be key to the Pentagon’s efforts to coordinate its activities, including possible strikes against accused terrorist leader Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan.
Riyadh’s reported agreement follows an announcement Wednesday by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal that his country, in his words, “will not avoid its duty” in the effort to punish and stop terrorists.
Meanwhile, Jordan’s King Abdullah has met with President Bush at the White House and pledged his country’s support. The Jordanian leader said, in his words, “we are here to see what we can do to help.”
President Bush said he is pleased with the cooperation he is getting in the Middle East, pointing to Jordan’s stand and that of the Saudis as well. He also said he is telling King Abdullah the al-Qaida organization of accused terrorist Osama bil Ladan represents evil, not Islam and not the Muslim faith.
Before coming to Washington, King Abdullah made it clear he wants U.S. assurances that the fight against terrorism will not appear to be directed against Arabs and Islam. He also said the Arab-Israeli conflict must be resolved to ensure peace to address what he calls an underlying cause of terrorism.
