Podcast

Saudi diplomat killed in Karachi

Updated: 2011-05-17 10:39

進入英語學習論壇下載音頻   去聽寫專區一展身手

Gunmen on motorcycles shot and killed a Saudi diplomat in the Pakistani city of Karachi on Monday, police and the Saudi ambassador said, the second attack on the mission since the killing of Osama bin Laden increased tensions in the region.

Al-Qaida is violently opposed to the Saudi government and has vowed revenge for the killing of its leader, Saudi-born bin Laden, by US special forces in a Pakistani military town on May 2.

Four people riding motorcycles opened fire on the Saudi diplomat's car, a Karachi police official said. The diplomat, a low ranking security official, was on his way to the consulate when the assailants struck.

"We condemn this attack. No one who carries out this kind of attack can be a Muslim," said Abdul Aziz al-Ghadeer, Saudi ambassador.

The ambassador suggested "terrorists", a reference to Muslim militant groups such as al-Qaida, carried out the attack.

The shooting occurred days after unidentified attackers threw two hand grenades at the Saudi consulate in Karachi, Pakistan's commercial hub. No one was hurt in that attack.

Saudi Arabia, one of the United States' most strategic allies, is the world biggest oil exporter and any signs that its security is threatened could move global oil prices.

A Saudi Interior Ministry official, who declined to be identified, said in Dubai that security would be stepped up to protect Saudi diplomats living in "dangerous" areas.

Riyadh described the killing of the diplomat as a "criminal attack" and said it would investigate alongside Pakistani authorities, the state news agency said.

Questions:

1. In which Pakistani city was the diplomat killed?

2. Which country did the diplomat work for?

3. What form of transport was used by the gunmen?

Answers:

1. Karachi.

2. Saudi Arabia.

3. Motorcycle.

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）

About the broadcaster:

Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.