INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2011
Riyadh vows response over ‘Iran death plot’ JEDDAH: Riyadh says it is determined to respond against Tehran for its alleged plot against the Saudi ambassador in Washington, but analysts expect only diplomatic measures, including a possible appeal to the International Criminal Court. “We will not yield to (Iran’s pressure) and we will hold them accountable for each hostile action, to which Saudi Arabia will find a suitable response,” warned Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, quoted by the Saudi media. Prince Saud, speaking in Vienna on Thursday during the inauguration of an interreligious centre, slammed the alleged plot against Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir unveiled by the United States, calling it an “ignoble act.”“Iran’s leadership is pursuing its interference in the affairs of other countries and its repeated attempts to... destabilise states,” in the region, he said. The Saudi chief diplomat accused Iran of dis-
patching “its agents to various Arab countries” including Kuwait, Iraq and Lebanon, the Saudiowned Al-Hayat newspaper reported. “This is not the first time Iran has been suspected of undertaking such actions,” another Saudiowned daily, Asharq Al-Awsat, quoted him as saying. Tehran has strongly denied any involvement in what Washington says was a plot by the Revolutionary Guards’ elite Quds force to kill Jubeir by hiring assassins from a Mexican drug cartel for $1.5 million. Washington has named two principal suspects in the case: Manssor Arbabsiar, a used-car salesman who is a naturalised US citizen, and Gholam Shakuri, said to be an Iran-based Quds force operative. Shakuri is believed to be in Iran, while Arbabsiar, 56, was arrested on September 29 at New York’s John F. Kennedy airport. Tehran appealed to Riyadh not to “fall into the trap,” calling the US claims a plot to divide Muslim
states, protect Israel and increase pressure on the Islamic republic which is already under sanctions over its controversial nuclear project. Prince Saud pinned responsibility for the alleged plot on Tehran, saying it “planned and financed” the operation, but gave no details on how the kingdom planned to respond. “We must wait and see,” he told journalists in response to a question on whether Saudi Arabia would recall its envoy from the Iranian capital. Riyadh “has several options available, diplomatic and otherwise, including a reduction of its diplomatic representation in Tehran,” Salman al-Dussari, chief editor of the daily Al-Iqtissadiya told AFP, ruling out a military response. “We must not mistake the calm approach of Saudi diplomacy for a sign of weakness,” he said, adding that the belligerent “actions of Iran will lead it to face the International Criminal Court.” “Iranian embassies in Gulf countries are tick-
ing time bombs, hatching plots against these countries,” Dussari continued, warning of a possible “Iranian escalation in the coming days in tandem to rising international pressure.” “We can expect anything from Iran which is capable of activating its sleeper cells in the region or trying to provoke a problem in Gulf waters,” he said. University professor Abdullah Qabba said that although Riyadh cannot “accept Terhan’s belligerent acts,” it is likely the kingdom will take a gradual approach, perhaps starting with an “economic boycott” or a “break in diplomatic ties.” “The Saudi regime will not stop its wise and measured policy,” he said. “Saudi Arabia’s only available options are political measures and putting pressure on Iran through international institutions,” said Saudi analyst Abdullah Hamid Eddine, stressing that Riyadh should not act alone. — AFP
NTC launches assault on Gaddafi fighters in Sirte, clashes in Tripoli SIRTE: Forces from Libya’s new regime launched a fierce assault on two areas of Muammar Gaddafi’s hometown of Sirte yesterday, as their comrades clashed with supporters of the fallen strongman in the capital. The latest offensive in Sirte, aimed at mopping up remaining pockets of stiff resistance, came a day after National Transitional Council (NTC) combatants were forced to withdraw under a hail of withering sniper fire. At least four people were killed and 46 wounded in yesterday’s fighting, said a medic at a field hospital in eastern Sirte, Abdulsalam Abdelkani. “All the injuries are sniper shots and bullet wounds.” An AFP correspondent said shortly before 1:00 pm, a large column of NTC forces, some in trucks and some on foot, pushed out of the central police HQ towards loyalist positions in the Dollar and Number Two districts. Huge plumes of thick black smoke billowed above both neighbourhoods amid an intense grenade and mortar bombardment and almost continuous machinegun fire. NTC fighters opened up with 130 mm cannons, after their troops eased back to allow for the bombardment. “We shelled the two areas for six hours. Our scouting teams had identified targets,” said Colonel Tawfiq alJazwim, supervising the attack on the Dollar and Number Two districts. “We fired dozens of Grad rockets and some artillery shells. There has been no similar response incoming. We’ve stopped the shelling for the evening. If required, we will start again tomorrow,” he said. NTC scouts had earlier probed loyalist defences, advancing as far as two kilometres (just over a mile) west from the central police headquarters before pulling back. New regime troops seized a school on the edge of the Dollar neighbourhood from which they launched the heavy bombardment. The 100strong force came under intense return fire. The fighters were later heading back to NTC base for the night. Defiant Gaddafi loyalists in the two areas of northwest Sirte have been staging a determined last stand that has put paid to NTC hopes of a swift mop-up. — AFP
SIRTE: A Libyan National Transitional Council fighter fires at loyalist troops as street battles continue to take control of Sirte yesterday.— AFP
SANAA: Yemeni anti-government protesters perform Friday prayers during a mass protest in Sanaa yesterday. Demonstrators called for the United Nations to intervene to put Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on trial in the wake of a crackdown on anti-regime protests that has cost hundreds of lives. — AFP
Yemen protesters urge UN to put Saleh on trial Hundreds of thousands gather in weekly protest SANAA: Demonstrators called yesterday for the United Nations to intervene to put Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on trial in the wake of a crackdown on anti-regime protests that has cost hundreds of lives. “We want the world to pass a resolution which defends the blood of the revolutionaries,” protesters chanted at a huge gathering near “Change Square” in central Sanaa that has become the epicenter of a campaign to oust Saleh. The demonstrators, who protest organizers said numbered in the hundreds of thousands, called for the veteran leader to go on trial. “There will be no immunity... Saleh and his cronies must face trial,” chanted the protesters, gathered after weekly Muslim prayers as on every Friday since the out-
break of their campaign in late January. Troops of dissident General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, who switched sides in March, were out in force to protect the demonstrators. At a rival protest, tens of thousands of pro-regime demonstrators gathered near the presidential palace in southern Sanaa swearing to stand by Saleh who has been in power for the past three decades. “The people want Ali Abdullah Saleh... With our souls, with our blood, we will sacrifice ourselves for you, Saleh,” they chanted, in images broadcast by state television. Protesters demanding the ouster of Saleh are hoping to see decisive action by the UN Security Council. According to a letter from Yemen’s youth movement to the United Nations
earlier this month, at least 861 people have been killed and 25,000 wounded since mass protests erupted across the country. The government, for its part, has urged the Security Council to avoid a resolution targeting the embattled president, calling on it instead to back a political solution. Organizers of the youth protests have called for a march on Saturday from Change Square to AlZubeiri Street which marks the demarcation line between the rival camps. In south Yemen, which marked the 48th anniversary of independence before its unification with the north in May 1990 yesterday, activists at rallies in several towns called for the restoration of the region’s independence. — AFP