Saudi Special Force to Guard Oil and Gas

Saudi Arabia is establishing a special US trained force to protect its oil and gas fields and pipelines in the wake of al-Qaida attacks and a feared US-led war against Iran's nuclear installations.

Saudi authorities have already recruited 5,000 members of the Facilities Security Force and plan to raise numbers to 35,000 to guard oil and other installations over the next two years, according to UK Guardian reports.

Recruits are currently being trained in the use of laser security and satellite imaging surveillance equipment, countermeasures and crisis management under a programme managed by US defence contractor Lockheed Martin.

State run oil corporation Saudi Aramco is currently responsible for the protection of oil and gas fields.

Reported by staff writer