Lorry chaos 'not retaliation'

Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia's Second Deputy Premier and Interior Minister, has denied media reports which said over-crowding at the Al-Bat'ha border crossing was a reaction to the UAE's withdrawal from the GCC single currency. ''It was, in fact, as a result of overcrowding to complete the required procedures pertaining to fingerprinting," he said last night after launching the strategic plan of the General Presidency for Commissions for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. ''The UAE is a sister state, and difference in opinions is a normal matter," he said, adding that it will not be possible for Saudi Arabia, either its leadership, government or people, to confront any act with a worse act because it is not the Kingdom's pattern or practice. Commenting on drug smuggling into Saudi Arabia, Prince Naif said this had put a great burden on the customs officials and security men because the styles practised by the smugglers have become complicated. * WAM