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DRUGS EXECUTIONS

'S Arabia to continue

applying Islamic law'

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia will continue its application of Islamic law, said a Saudi newspaper on Thursday in reaction to criticism of the rising number of beheadings.

Al-Yawm newspaper said in an editorial that applying Islamic law in a just way to both nationals and expatriates was an integral part of the country's social and political foundation.

"The kingdom does not allow anybody to compromise its laws and regulations. It also demands that all expatriates respect its laws," the paper said. "The kingdom's implementation of sharia is an inevitable duty."

Turkey warned Saudi Arabia on Wednesday not to execute any more Turks after four were beheaded last week for trying to smuggle in drugs.

Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller, on a visit to the Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan, said Turkey was considering withdrawing its ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has said executions would go ahead in accordance with Islamic law which demands the public execution by the sword of rapists, murderers, drug smugglers and violent armed robbers.

Up to 141 people have been beheaded in Saudi Arabia this year, mostly for smuggling drugs. The kingdom has repeatedly warned that it would punish drug traffickers as part of its fight against the trade.

In London, Amnesty International said on Wednesday that excutions were "continuing at an alarming rate" and that the beheading of the 141 followed trials which have ignored internationally agreed norms.

Saudi Arabia had insisted in the face of previous such criticism that Islamic law protected people's rights and was the only law it would apply.-Reuter