The Saudi Embassy in Syria has offered to pay for cash-strapped Saudi expatriates to flee the crisis-hit country. Prince Khaled Bin Saud Bin Khaled, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, made the announcement as civil disturbances continue to rock the country. Speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette by telephone, Prince Khaled said: “If a Saudi national comes to the embassy in Damascus wanting to leave Syrian territory, the embassy will immediately arrange for his departure to the Kingdom at its expense.” Last Tuesday the Ministry of Foreign Affairs repeated its warning to Saudi citizens living in Syria to leave the country quickly. It also issued an advisory warning Saudis not to travel to Syria due to the “instability” in the country. Prince Khaled did not reveal the number of Saudi nationals in Syria. “We cannot give specific figures. The figures now are inaccurate due to the huge number of Saudis leaving Syria due to the crisis there.” The announcement comes amid fears Saudis may be targeted because of the Kingdom's reaction to the crisis, especially after a Saudi national was recently killed by thugs of the Syrian regime. “We've advised Saudi citizens not to travel to Syria, but we cannot stop whoever wants to do so,” said Prince Khaled. Syria has always been a dangerous place for Saudi nationals and tourists who are frequently beaten up and robbed by Syrian gangs. These gangs are also known for smuggling Al-Qaeda terrorists to Iraq in return for money. Since the crisis began Saudi Arabian and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) embassies have been attacked by Syrians loyal to the Bashar Al-Assad regime. Eyewitnesses report mobs gathering around the embassies, throwing stones, smashing windows, looting and destroying its contents. The Kingdom has “condemned these acts and holds the Syrian authorities responsible for the security and protection of all Saudi interests and its diplomats according to international agreements and charters”. __
