The United States is set to order non-essential diplomats and the families of all embassy and consulate personnel to leave Saudi Arabia after deadly suicide attacks there, US officials said today.
The drawdown in Washington's diplomatic presence in Saudi Arabia, which reflects grave US fears of ongoing terrorist threats in the country, was to be announced later today or tomorrow, pending final approval by the State Department, the officials said.
But US ambassador to Saudi Arabia Robert Jordan asked for the implementation of a so-called "ordered departure" scheme earlier today and one official said there was "no chance" his request would be turned down.
The announcement will come in the form of a revised travel warning for Saudi Arabia that urges US citizens to defer any plans to visit the country and advises those already there to consider leaving immediately, the officials said.
AFP