Saudi passports are not proof of ID

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2003
Saudi passports are not proof of ID
Mon, 12-22-2003 - 9:19pm
Saudi Passports Not a Means of Identification

This is an important admission, because they have been criticized for years for issuing passports to terrorists from countries on US & European watch lists, but they've always denied it. It looks like this is part of their new campaign to really fight terrorism.

RIYADH, 22 December 2003 — Saudi passports cannot be used as a means of identification in the Kingdom, Interior Minister Prince Naif said here yesterday.

The prince said it had come to his attention that many Saudis were using their passports to identify themselves but said passports “are only a method to facilitate travel abroad or moving from one country to another.”

The interior minister said some government offices were issuing national ID cards based on Saudi passports.

Prince Naif has instructed both public and private sector organizations not to accept Saudi passports as proof of identity.

The prince said the only acceptable identification was the civil status card for Saudis and the iqama for non-Saudis.

He said Saudi passports are sometimes issued to non-Saudis. “The reason why they were given Saudi passports was to ease their travel abroad.” But in the Kingdom, the proper means of identification “is the iqama or the temporary card issued by the Passports Department,” Prince Naif said.


http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=36864&d=22&m=12&y=2003


“The reason why they were given Saudi passports was to ease their travel abroad.”

No reason why international travelers would need to prove their identity, is there?

Renee