The United States on Wednesday advised its non-essential diplomats to leave Saudi Arabia because of ongoing security concerns. 

"The US government continues to receive indications of terrorist threats aimed at American and Western interests, including the targeting of transportation and civil aviation," the State Department said in a travel warning.

"Due to ongoing security concerns, the Department of State has authorized the departure of family members and non-emergency employees of the US embassy and consulates (in Saudi Arabia) on a voluntary basis," it said.

"Private American citizens should evaluate their own security situations and should consider departing the country," it said.

On May 12, suicide bombers killed about 35 people, including nine Americans, at housing compounds for expatriates in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.

(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2003)