Security will be tightened at all Saudi missions and diplomatic residences abroad with additional equipment and bodyguards after the killing earlier this month of a Saudi diplomat in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Dr. Nizar Bin Obaid Madani, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, told Okaz/Saudi Gazette recently during an interview. Madani also confirmed that a team of Saudi criminal forensics experts are set to join Bangladeshi investigators in the next few days to find those responsible for the killing of Khalaf Bin Muhammad Salim Al-Ali, the Saudi diplomat who was gunned down outside his Dhaka residence. Madani said that the Saudi government will do everything it can to protect its residents abroad from all kinds of disasters and crises and ensure their safe return home, adding that the killing of Al-Ali was a breach of the security of Bangladesh. He said the various Saudi government agencies and ministries, including the Ministry of Interior, are working together to track down the killers of Al-Ali. He said the Kingdom was confident that the Bangladeshi authorities are professional and determined to find the perpetrators, adding that the killing of the Saudi diplomat will not affect the Kingdom's strong relations with a fellow Muslim country. Madani said there is close coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the security authorities abroad to provide protection for Saudi missions. The Kingdom's missions also work with the host countries' security agencies to protect mission headquarters and staff, as stipulated by international agreements and norms. Among these is the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which sets out the rules on diplomatic privileges and immunities. Saudi Gazette reported earlier this month that the Saudi government has warned all of its overseas staff to wear Saudi traditional dress only on official occasions and at their workplace and not to wear it in the streets in foreign countries. Diplomats have also been warned not to go out at night and to contact the heads of missions if they are threatened or notice anything suspicious such as being followed by vehicles or persons. __
