LONDON (Reuters) - Britain warned on Tuesday of a "high threat" of further attacks against Western interests in Saudi Arabia -- possibly involving chemical or biological weapons -- after three suicide bombings overnight.
The Foreign Office issued a warning advising all Britons against non-essential travel to the region after the bombings on compounds housing foreigners killed or injured dozens.
"There remains a high threat of further large or small scale attacks against Western interests in Saudi Arabia," the Foreign Office said. "Terrorist attacks could involve the use of chemical and biological materials."
Saudi Arabia said at least 29 people, including seven American victims and nine suspected bombers, were killed and 194 injured in the attacks in Riyadh on Monday night.
Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites) said the attacks bore the stamp of al Qaeda and its Saudi-born leader Osama bin Laden (news - web sites).
Previously, Britain had advised citizens traveling to the area to be alert to the serious threat of violence to Westerners or their interests in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is home to a large community of expatriate Britons and Americans, many of whom live in heavily guarded compounds similar to those targeted by the bombers.
The Foreign Office said it was not yet advising its citizens to leave the region but had authorized the voluntary departure of non-essential diplomatic staff and their dependents.
The Foreign Office issued a warning advising all Britons against non-essential travel to the region after the bombings on compounds housing foreigners killed or injured dozens.
"There remains a high threat of further large or small scale attacks against Western interests in Saudi Arabia," the Foreign Office said. "Terrorist attacks could involve the use of chemical and biological materials."
Saudi Arabia said at least 29 people, including seven American victims and nine suspected bombers, were killed and 194 injured in the attacks in Riyadh on Monday night.
Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites) said the attacks bore the stamp of al Qaeda and its Saudi-born leader Osama bin Laden (news - web sites).
Previously, Britain had advised citizens traveling to the area to be alert to the serious threat of violence to Westerners or their interests in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is home to a large community of expatriate Britons and Americans, many of whom live in heavily guarded compounds similar to those targeted by the bombers.
The Foreign Office said it was not yet advising its citizens to leave the region but had authorized the voluntary departure of non-essential diplomatic staff and their dependents.
