Riyadh further consolidated claim to regional leadership, identifying Iran nuclear program as regional crisis 14 April. FM claimed ties to U.S. healthy despite Saudi statement at March Arab League summit that U.S. presence in Iraq is “illegitimate occupation”.

Riyadh continued to increase profile in regional affairs following 8 February Mecca agreement. Iranian President Ahmedi-Nejad visited early March in indication both sides want to reduce sectarian divisions, nuclear tensions and divergence over Lebanon and Iraq. Arab League summit recommitted to 2002 Saudi peace initiative 28 March.

4 French expatriates killed by suspected Islamic militants near Medina 26 February in first such attack since September 2004.

2 security force members died in 7 December clashes with gunmen outside Jeddah prison. 136 Islamic militant suspects have been arrested since 12 September.

Riyadh gun battle between police and militants 23 June killed 7. Officials later arrested 40 militants.

Riyadh announced 5 more arrests in connection to February attack on Abqaiq oil processing plant.

Saudi authorities reportedly arrested 40 al- Qaeda members in ongoing operations.

Failed attack on Abqaiq oil installation 24 February claimed by al-Qaeda, led to shootout with security forces. 5 militants including suspected head of al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia killed.

Clashes reported between security forces and alleged al-Qaeda members. Police reportedly disrupted plot to carry out bombings in Riyadh. Tensions escalated with Iran after FM Saud al-Faisal issued statement exhorting Iran to cease uranium enrichment.

Security forces killed 2 militants suspected of fatal shootings of 5 policemen in northern province of Qassim.