Today's Date:

Statements by Philippe Douste-Blazy, Minister of Foreign Affairs (excerpts)

THE MINISTER – Several of our compatriots living in Riyadh have just come under armed attack between Medina and Yanbou. As I speak, three are already dead and one is in Medina hospital.

I'd like here utterly to condemn this horrible attack and tell you that, working with the Saudi authorities, we are going to do the utmost, as fast as possible, to get the perpetrators punished. I'd like to express my very great sympathy to our compatriots' loved-ones.

As regards the three people who have died, one was a teacher in a Riyadh secondary school and two were part of the team of a private French company.

THE MINISTER – Three families were having lunch when they came under armed attack on the road between Medina and Yanbou. As I speak, three French nationals have died, the fourth is in Medina hospital and, of course, right now, with the Saudi authorities, we're doing our utmost to find out exactly what happened, as fast as possible, so that the perpetrators are punished.

Our ambassador in Riyadh and consul general in Jiddah are today on the way to the scene of the attack. I utterly condemn it. (…)./.