RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has deployed 30,000 troops along its 800km border with Iraq, Saudi-owned Al-Arabi­­ya television channel reported on Thursday.

The deployment came as Iraqi forces abandoned their positions on the border, leaving it unprotected, the report added.

King Abdullah had orde­red that all necessary measures be taken to guard against potential threats, a Saudi Royal Court statement said.

Related: Chief of Iraqi Kurds wants independence referendum

The order came during a meeting of the Saudi Natio­nal Security Council to discuss the fallout of developments in Iraq. “Concerned about Saudi Arabia’s security and to safeguard against terrorist organisations or any other groups that might endeavour to destabilise the kingdom, he (the king) has ordered all necessary measures to protect the gains of the homeland and its stability, and the security of the Saudi people,” the statement added.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2014