New details emerge on plot to kill Makkah emir

Makkah : New details have emerged on the plot to assassinate Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, emir of Makkah Province and adviser to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. An unknown number of suspects are facing trial in this connection, informed sources told Okaz/Saudi Gazette.

The sources added that the assassination plot was hatched during Prince Khaled’s second tenure at the helm of affairs in Makkah. Authorities caught the suspects red-handed while they were planning to carry out the murder. The suspects had kept Prince Khaled’s movements under surveillance for a long time.

The threats and the conspiracy to assassinate him did not dissuade Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, known as “the iron man” and “a strong and successful administrator”, from continuing his work and inspection tours. Recently, he carried out an inspection tour of the holy sites to gauge the readiness of the security personnel.

Prince Khaled, who is also known for his speedy development measures in Asir and Makkah regions, has been in public domain for over five decades.

The arrest of a Takfiri terrorist cell that planned to assassinate him and further warnings from security personnel, did not deter Prince Khaled from carrying out 17 field tours of the holy sites in recent weeks.

Khaled Al-Faisal has successfully accomplished several cultural and developmental goals during the various posts he has held in the Kingdom. He has carried out giant humanitarian projects, like rectifying the status of 250,000 Burmese (nationals).

With the revelation of the assassination plot, people’s confidence in the security authorities has increased. Reports on preemptive strikes against terrorists are a source of great pride for the Saudis.