RIYADH, June 24: Saudi Arabia has said that its amnesty offer for the extremists has been made out from a position of strength.

In a press statement, the Saudi Interior Minister, Prince Naif said: "The pardon comes at a time when Saudi security is at the peak of its strength and the speech (of Crown Prince Abdullah) emanated from a strong position.

The speech was not made to please certain persons or just as a propaganda tool. Those misguided individuals should come back to the right way." He also said the body of slain Paul Johnson is yet to be found.

On the issue of arming the expatriates, Prince Naif pointed out that the in most cases the employers, especially those in the public sector, are responsible for providing the protection to their employees, including the expatriates.