Saudi Arabia has begun setting up a 35,000-strong security force to protect its oil infrastructure from potential attacks, the Financial Times reported.
The force already numbers about 5,000 personnel. They are being trained in the use of new surveillance equipment, countermeasures and crisis management under a programme managed by US defence group Lockheed Martin, the newspaper quoted a Saudi adviser as saying.
The move underlines the kingdom's growing concern about its oil installations after threats from al-Qaeda to attack facilities in the Gulf, as well as rising tensions between Iran and the US.
Lockheed said it did not have information on the initiative, the newspaper added.
(AFX News)