Saudi refuted allegation of supporting Bin Laden

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Naif bin Abdel-Aziz has refuted the West's allegations that Saudi Arabia was supporting Bin Laden and his terrorist organization, Saudi-based newspaper Arab News reported Thursday.

"How can the government of Saudi Arabia support an organization that targets and kills its own people," Naif said on Wednesday while addressing a meeting of the Saudi Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

"Bin Laden is a silly person and an intelligence agent. He is not a Saudi. He came from another country and obtained citizenship, " the minister said.

Naif accused foreign Arab preachers of spreading extremism and deviant ideas in the Kingdom, saying that "It is unfortunate that many preachers from Arab countries, whom the Kingdom supported, propagated distorted ideas and brainwashed our youth."

He urged Saudi religious scholars not to be silent and to speak out against extremists and deviants, highlighting the role of universities and media organizations in educating the Saudi youth and enhancing their awareness.

Source: Xinhua