Tension mounted in Saudi Arabia’s expatriate community on Friday following the shooting of a British man, with many Westerners fearing they could become targets if there is a war with Iraq. The threat of war has already prompted some families to leave. Although there is no sense of panic, people are stocking up on food and water in case they have to remain in their protected, walled compounds and are limiting trips outside. Thursday’s killing of Robert Dent, a 37-year-old employee of British defence company BAE Systems who was shot dead in his car at a traffic light, underscored Westerners’ vulnerability in the Gulf state. “This is scary, it makes me feel very uncomfortable,” said Jeff, a 45-year-old American working for state oil firm Saudi Aramco in Riyadh. “I won’t go out as much. It has an increased impact because it’s close to the war and people are wondering if attacks on Westerners will increase,” he told Reuters. He said he would avoid taking the company bus but take taxis instead. Full Story
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