A number of Saudi and Yemeni officials have strongly condemned the kidnapping of Vice Consul Abdullah Al-Khalidi of the Saudi Embassy (in Sanaa), describing it as a terrorist crime. These officials have also highlighted the firm stand of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in combating terrorism. In Riyadh, Member of Senior Scholars Council, Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan said that kidnapping and assaulting innocent people is a crime banned by Islamic Sharia and international regulations as it is an attack and intimidation of secured people. In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), he called on kidnappers of the Saudi Vice Consul to set him free as soon as possible. In Asir region, a number of officials and citizens have denounced the deviant group for kidnapping and terrorist acts, which are in contravention of the Islamic religion and Arab original traditions. They included the leader of Bani Mughaid and Bani Namar Tribe Sheikh Ali Bin Saad bin Mufreh; Dean of Higher Studies at King Khalid University Dr. Abdullah Al-Amri; and Director General of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Commission in Asir Region Sheikh Amer bin Abdulmohsen Al-Amer. In Yemen, officials and citizens have also condemned the crime of kidnapping the Saudi Vice Consul. They included Undersecretary of Ministry of Endowments for Guidance Sector Sheikh Hassan Mohammed Al-Haddar; Yemeni Intellectual and Poet Ahmad Al-Khurbi; an Official of Department of Children and Women at Ministry of Culture; Director General of Relations at Ministry of Human Rights Sadeq Al-Nabhani; and Plastic Artist Abdulkhaleq Mohammed Al-Radaie.
