Friends Like These

This is troubling. Not surprising in the least, but troubling. I'd venture a guess that al-Oufi is more indicative of Saudi police in general than the monarchy would like to let on. As the article mentions, Paul Johnson's kidnappers, and ultimately executioners, were wearing police uniforms and driving police cars when they snatched Johnson at a fake checkpoint.

An ex-Saudi policeman has become leader of the al-Qaeda militant group in Saudi Arabia, according to media reports from the troubled kingdom.

Saleh al-Oufi, 38, will take over from Abdul Aziz al-Muqrin, who was killed by police on Friday.

On CNN, Adel al-Jubeir, advisor to Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah and a familiar media face for the kingdom, denied the involvement of Saudi police in any acts of militancy:

"If that were the case they would not be going after soft targets, they would be going after government installations," Mr Jubeir said.

Why is it that I suddenly have the feeling that the next terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia will target a government installation?

And another thing, did al Qaeda issue a press release announcing al Oufi's new position?