RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- The Iranian ambassador in Riyadh said his country has handed over to Saudi Arabia al-Qaida operatives suspected in terrorist attacks in the kingdom.
Ali Asghar Khaji was quoted in the Saudi daily al-Jazeera Monday as saying, "The Iranian government won't hesitate to cooperate with Saudi Arabia in security matters, including surrendering terror suspects in line with the security treaty signed between the two brotherly countries."
Khaji said Saudi security is as important for Iran as national security.
"We will turn over to Saudi Arabia any wanted suspect belonging to terrorist cells in case he is arrested in Iran," he said.
He denounced the bombing attacks that targeted residential compounds in Riyadh last year "killing innocent and harmless civilians," and stressed, "Islam bans such terrorist, strange and abnormal acts."
Khaji did not say how many al-Qaida suspects Iran were handed over to Saudi Arabia or identify their nationalities.
