23 March 2004	Tuesday	01 Safar 1425

RIYADH, March 22: Saudi Arabia has denied that Pakistani troops were stationed in the kingdom.

In response to a question about the perceived presence of Pakistani troops here, the Saudi Defence Minister Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz said: "Pakistan is a brotherly country, but not a single Pakistani soldier is stationed in the country. We depend on ourselves for protection of our country," he emphasized.

Prince Sultan noted that the door of recruitment is wide open for the Saudi youth either to join the interior ministry, the national guard or the defence ministry.

He was talking to the press late Sunday evening after a ceremony to award King Faisal International Prizes. Pakistani diplomats here in Riyadh have said on record that in case any request for stationing troops in the kingdom is made, Pakistan would be ready to do so.

Referring to the persons who were recently detained by the Saudi authorities, Prince Sultan described them as "outlaws who have revolted against their country". "So, differences exist between them and us, and the final decisive word will be determined by the Islamic Shariah," he said.