Tourists are being advised against visiting Saudi Arabia because of the risk of terrorist attacks.
Travel to the Middle Eastern country should not be undertaken unless absolutely necessary, due to the threat of shootings or bomb blasts.
The recommendation is based on an analysis of the current state of affairs in Saudi Arabia and the fact that there have been a number of attacks targeting westerners in recent years.
For example in February 2007, four French Saudi Arabia residents were killed in a shooting incident while resting on the side of the Tabruk-Medina highway, approximately 17 kilometres north of Medina.
On May 12th last year a lone gunman fired shots at the US Consulate in Jeddah. That followed a terrorist attack in February on Saudi oil facilities in Abqaiq in the Eastern Province.
Where travel is essential, foreign nationals are advised to stay in hotels or housing compounds that apply strict security measures - including an armed guard, inspection of all vehicles and a hardened security perimeter.
Westerners are also advised to exercise caution while driving, entering or exiting vehicles.
