(WASHINGTON, DC) - Saudi security forces have arrested five individuals, all of Chadian nationality, suspected of terrorist activity, including efforts to finance an Al-Qaeda cell by carrying out a series of armed robberies in Jeddah over a two-month period last year. Three of the suspects are connected to the murder of French citizen Laurent Barbot on September 25, 2004, and to the robbery at the British Airways office in Jeddah on August 25, 2004.

“This capture represents another success in the global war against terrorism,” Ambassador to the United States Prince Bandar bin Sultan remarked. “Saudi Arabia‘s counter-terrorism efforts and our security forces have become increasingly sophisticated and effective. Terrorists have nowhere to hide in the Kingdom.”

Since 2003, 23 of Saudi Arabia’s 26 most-wanted terrorist suspects have been either killed or captured.