WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States said on Friday it will allow some family members of U.S. diplomats at its embassy in Riyadh and its consulate in Dhahran to return to Saudi Arabia because the security climate has improved.
However, it said Westerners remain threatened by "terrorist groups" in the world's largest oil exporter, and said U.S. diplomats at its consulate in Jeddah, which was attacked by militants in 2004, still cannot be accompanied by dependents.
In a travel warning posted on its Web site, the U.S. State Department said it had authorized all U.S. diplomatic family members to return to Dhahran and adult family members and "non-school age" children to return to Riyadh.
"While these changes reflect the continued improvement in the security climate in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the Eastern Province and Riyadh, it is important to note that there remains an ongoing security threat," the warning said.
It said Westerners were under threat because of "terrorist groups, some affiliated with al Qaeda, who may target Western interests, housing compounds, hotels, shopping areas and other facilities where Westerners congregate."
Militants stormed the U.S. consulate compound in Jeddah on December 6, 2004, killing five non-American staff in one of a series of attacks on Western interests in the region that have since abated.
The State Department said the last "major terrorist attack" on civilians took place in 2007 and targeted French citizens.
"Significant improvements in the capacity and capability of Saudi security and intelligence forces have greatly improved the security environment," it added. "Although much improved, the improvements remain fragile and reversible."
(Reporting by Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Will Dunham)
