Senior Saudi clerics condemn terrorists

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's highest religious body has condemned violence by Islamic militants and deemed helping terrorists "one of the greatest sins."

The statement from the Council of Senior Clerics came a day after Saudi authorities arrested at least 11 suspected militants and seized a large weapons cache in the southern Jazan province.

The government has cracked down heavily on Islamic militants since May 12 suicide bombings in Riyadh killed 26 people, as well as the nine attackers. The bombings also touched off a public debate over whether the strict form of Islam preached in the kingdom fostered intolerance and extremism.

The Council of Senior Clerics said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency that participating in terrorist acts is "a dangerous criminal act ... punishable by Islamic law."

Terrorism, "is an act of sabotage, and an absolute aberration." The statement said those behind recent attacks and plots "shouldn't have been moved by corrupt statements and slogans that cause division and corrupt the nation," adding that justifications for violence have "no religious grounds."

The council also urged Saudis to cooperate in ridding their society of violence and warned against harboring or giving terrorists shelter, as it would be "considered one of the greatest sins."

The Council of Senior Clerics has great influence over what is said in mosques, taught in schools and discussed in the media.

Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah said Thursday his kingdom is engaged in a "decisive battle" against violent extremists and warned that any Saudi who harbors terrorists will not be spared. His comments followed warnings by the United States and Britain of new terror threats in the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has been under pressure to crush networks that include al-Qaida, the terror group blamed for the Riyadh bombings and the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. Fifteen of the 19 Sept. 11 hijackers were Saudi and al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden was born in Saudi Arabia.