Minister of Interior Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz, in a press statement following the graduation ceremony of the Nayef Arab University for Security Sciences in Riyadh yesterday, urged members of the deviant group to seize the opportunity granted by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz in the televised address delivered by Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. Surrendering to authorities, he said, also means repenting and cooperating; and expressed the hope that these errant individuals will be able to return to society as good citizens. He commented that the offer comes at a time when Saudi security is strong: it is not an effort to please certain people or merely as propaganda, but rather an opportunity for misguided individuals and their sympathizers to return to the path of righteousness.

Asked if the offer applies to those who have already surrendered, Prince Nayef affirmed that they are under Islamic Law [Shariah], adding that those who insist on their deviation will be dealt with harshly. Commenting on the murder of the U.S. hostage, he confirmed that the body had not yet been found, and denounced the killing as ugly and brutal, and in violation of the principles of Islam. The Kingdom’s security forces, he said, are dealing with the situation on their own, but are appreciative of cooperation and information from many countries, including the United States of America, with whom there is a very good relationship. Terrorism, he declared, is ugly and evil, and an international phenomenon that requires international cooperation to eliminate it. He denied accusations that Saudi security officers are involved in facilitating terrorists' access to police cars and weapons, adding that weapons found have not originated from any military body, but have been smuggled from abroad.

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