RIYADH, Feb 6: Saudi Arabia has announced tightening of controls over charity organizations, following accusations that some of them may have funded extremist groups abroad.

The Saudi announcement came amid reports that charities funding terrorist groups have been singled out as the next target in the financial war on terrorism. A senior US official was quoted here as saying, “we need to do more about charities.”

An official statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency said “Riyadh would take all possible measures in accordance with relevant international resolutions to prevent the use of these charity operations for any illegal purposes.

“Saudi Arabia, while remembering its Islamic and humanitarian role that necessitates the continuity of charity and humanitarian work, is very keen that funds are not misused,” the statement added.

It said the move was part of the kingdom’s efforts to cooperate in the global crackdown on terror financing and followed charges that some Saudi-based charities had links to groups listed by the United Nations as suspected financiers of terrorist organizations.

Saudi charity organizations have repeatedly denied any connection with funding terror campaigns.

The statement was issued “to clarify what has been said about certain individuals belonging to Saudi charities, both at home and abroad, having connections with organizations that might have been mentioned by the UN in its resolutions against international terrorism”.

Saudi charities, such as the International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO), Al-Harmain Charitable Foundation and the Islamic Charitable Committee of the World Assembly of the Muslim Youth (WAMY) operate under strict guidelines that prevent them from being able to transfer funds to illicit recipients, the Saudi official added.