US allowed to use Saudi bases

Published February 27, 2003

WASHINGTON, Feb 26: The United States and Saudi Arabia have reached new agreements on expanded use of Saudi military facilities in an invasion of Iraq, The Washington Post said on Wednesday, citing senior US officials and diplomatic sources.

The newspaper said the cooperation includes full use of the air command and control centre at Prince Sultan Air Base, southeast of Riyadh, the Saudi capital.

In addition, the agreements will allow the United States to fly refuelling aircraft, surveillance planes and battlefield radar aircraft from Saudi airfields, the newspaper said.

The United States also will be allowed to base fighter jets at Saudi airfields, according to The Post.—Reuters