Re: Westminster Terror Attack

For Immediate Release:

24 March 2017

 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia strongly condemns Wednesday’s terrorist act in London, as it does all forms of terrorism.

 

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has sent condolences to, and had a phone conversation with, the Prime Minister Theresa May, in which he condemned the attack, and offered Saudi Arabia’s deepest sympathy to the families of the victims and the British people.

 

Recent media reporting has thrown more light on the perpetrator’s background. The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia wishes to clarify that Khalid Masood was in Saudi Arabia from November 2005 to November 2006 and April 2008 to April 2009, when he worked as an English teacher having first obtained a work visa. In 2015, he obtained an Umra visa through an approved travel agent and was in the Kingdom from the 3rd-8th March.

 

During his time in Saudi Arabia, Khalid Masood did not appear on the security services’ radar and does not have a criminal record in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

The attack in London this week has again demonstrated the importance of international efforts to confront and eradicate terrorism. At such a time, our ongoing security cooperation is most crucial to the defeat of terrorism and the saving of innocent lives.

 

Saudi Arabia continues to stand with the United Kingdom during this difficult time and reaffirms its commitment to continue its work with the United Kingdom in any way to assist in the ongoing investigation.

 

ENDS