Saudi Deputy Interior Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, has survived a suicide bomb attack in his office in the Red Sea port of Jeddah. According to the state-run news agency SPA, the top Saudi security official who is responsible for the kingdom's anti-terror fight escaped the attack on Thursday evening while meeting well-wishers for the month of Ramadan.
According to SPA, the prince suffered only minor injuries after the suicide bomber got close to him and detonated his explosives hidden inside his mobile phone. Prince Nayef was later shown on Saudi television meeting with the Saudi monarch, King Abdullah after he was treated at a hospital for his minor injuries.
"This will only increase our determination to eradicate this (militancy)," said the Prince, who is the son of Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz.
The suicide bomber was the only casualty of the incident.
The Saudi wing of Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility. In a statement posted on an Islamist website late Thursday, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula said it was behind the attempt.
© 2009 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
