1.
CU INTERIOR: Leader of Union of the Peoples of the Arabian Peninsula, Mr Nasser Al-Said, speaking to reporter in Arabic.
1.50



Initials RH



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The leader of an opposition group in Saudi Arabia says that gunmen who seized the Grand Mosque in Mecca wanted to overthrow the Saudi Royal family and proclaim a republic. Mr Nasser Al-Said made the claim at a news conference in Beirut. He is the leader of an organisation called the Union of the Peoples of the Arabian Peninsula. Mr Said's claims varied from other versions of the siege given by outside observers and the official Saudi reports. He said his group was not responsible but there is a wide movement in Saudi Arabia wanting a republic that republic that would direct the resources of the country for the benefit of the people.