UK Parliament attacker not in Saudi security services’ radar

LONDON — The Saudi Embassy in the United Kingdom stressed in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia strongly condemns Wednesday’s terrorist act in London, as it does all forms of terrorism. The embassy said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has sent condolences to, and has spoken with, the UK Prime Minister Theresa May, in which he condemned the attack, and offered the Kingdom of 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 Umrah visa through an approved travel agent and was in the Kingdom from the March 3-8,” the statement added. “During his time in Saudi Arabia, Masood did not appear on the security services’ radar and does not have a criminal record in the Kingdom. 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,” the embassy stressed. “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,” the statement concluded. — SPA