Saudi sappers diffused 16 sticks of dynamite planted in Jeddah’s Al-Mahmal shopping center. The explosives were programmed to go off at nine in the morning Saturday, reported Asharq Al-Awsat .
The dynamite was placed several emergency exits located in the mall. All four floors of the center and an adjacent nine-storey office block were evacuated after the explosives were discovered. Security sources reported that the dynamite appeared to be prepared by amateurs. No arrests have been made so far.
In light of American support for Israel and a possible attack on Iraq, popular committees in the Middle East have been calling to widen the boycott against US-made products and services. This past November, a McDonald’s franchise in the province of Kharj was set ablaze.
In Lebanon, bombs have exploded outside a McDonald’s restaurant in Jouineh and a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise in the Northern city of Tripoli in the past seven months. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
