Article

2007-02-26 Arabia

Three French nationals shot dead in Saudi: ministry

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Posted by anonymous5089 2007-02-26 12:24|| || Front Page|| [10 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Maj. Gen. Mansour al-Turki said the group of French travelers were resting on the side of a road when gunmen fired at their car, instantly killing two of the men. The third man died later after he was taken to a hospital, and the four Frenchman was in serious condition at an area hospital, al-Turki said. Women and children also were with the group, who were on a road 17 kilometers (10.6 miles) north of Medina, but they were uninjured.
Saudi authorities were investigating the attack, al-Turki said. "Undoubtedly this is a criminal act, but it's too early to determine their motives and whether it is terrorism," he said.

The group was traveling in an area mainly restricted for Muslims only because the road where the attack occurred leads to Medina, where the Prophet Muhammad died and was buried. Al-Turki said the French group was probably Muslim pilgrims. But it was possible they were traveling to another ancient site north of Medina where the Saudi government recently started allowing non-Muslims to visit.

Posted by Steve 2007-02-26 13:21|| 2007-02-26 13:21|| Front Page Top

#2 Rouge en rouge.

Posted by Excalibur 2007-02-26 14:52|| 2007-02-26 14:52|| Front Page Top

#3 An Interior Ministry statement said a group of nine French nationals were fired on after a car stopped them near Medina in the west of the vast desert country. "They are all residents who work in Riyadh and who had gone on a desert trip," Interior Ministry spokesman Mansour al-Turki told Saudi television, adding the attackers escaped.

Desert road trips can be hazardous to your health.

The spokesman said the group, thought to number 26, had split into two after a night in the desert near Medina, with some returning to Riyadh and the nine French nationals staying behind because some of them were Muslims who hoped to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. Western diplomats said the group may also have visited the historical site of Madain Saleh, north of Medina.

The government statement said two men died at the scene and a third died later in hospital. One other is still in hospital in Medina. Saudi television said initially four had died. Officials said the attackers had singled out the men in the group, which included women and children.

Posted by Steve 2007-02-26 15:40|| 2007-02-26 15:40|| Front Page Top

#4 The group was traveling in an area mainly restricted for Muslims only...

I think I'm going to live long enough to witness the delivery of serious payback to muslims.

Posted by Mark Z">Mark Z 2007-02-26 15:45|| 2007-02-26 15:45|| Front Page Top

#5 Hopefully the French will someday learn that you cannot apologize your way out of every fight

Posted by garbagecowboy 2007-02-26 16:45|| http://litterblog.blogspot.com]">[http://litterblog.blogspot.com] 2007-02-26 16:45|| Front Page Top

#6 Everybody knows that frogs are haram.

This wisecrack brought to you by special request.

Posted by Zenster">Zenster 2007-02-26 18:25|| 2007-02-26 18:25|| Front Page Top

#7 Hi, Zenster! Welcome back!

Actually, by Saudi law, surely it's their very own fault -- like other traffic accidents, it wouldn't have happened had they not been in the country, muslim or not.

Posted by trailing wife 2007-02-26 18:28|| 2007-02-26 18:28|| Front Page Top

#8 See also FREEREPUBLIC/LUCIANNE > Two Russian women killed in Thailand. Allegedly went out in bikinis in early AM to watch sun rise, never came back - killed sitting in tourist chairs?

Posted by JosephMendiola 2007-02-26 20:42|| 2007-02-26 20:42|| Front Page Top

#9 Zen nice to see you!

White flags haram? Maybe the stains bothered the meteroities.

Posted by Icerigger 2007-02-26 20:48|| 2007-02-26 20:48|| Front Page Top

#10 Zenster, mirabile visu!

Posted by gromgoru 2007-02-26 23:22|| 2007-02-26 23:22|| Front Page Top

#11 Thank you, everyone. I'll be dropping in from time to time. All the best!

Posted by Zenster">Zenster 2007-02-26 23:51|| 2007-02-26 23:51|| Front Page Top

23:51 Zenster
23:25 gromgoru
23:22 gromgoru
23:21 trailing wife
23:12 Gladys
23:09 Ricky bin Ricardo (Abu Babaloo)
23:05 C-Low
23:05 whatadeal
22:58 Phineter Thraviger
22:56 USN, ret.
22:50 tu3031
22:48 DMFD
22:48 tu3031
22:45 DMFD
22:42 USN, ret.
22:40 DMFD
22:38 USN, ret.
22:38 tu3031
22:36 DMFD
22:32 badanov
22:31 USN, ret.
22:31 DMFD
22:14 twobyfour
22:02 Shipman