沙特組建特種部隊保護石油設施
沙特阿拉伯已開始新建一支逾35000人的特種安全部隊，以保護其石油設施免受可能發生的襲擊。
Saudi Arabia has begun setting up a new 35,000-strong specialised security force to protect its oil facilities from potential attacks.
此舉凸顯出基地組織(al-Qaeda)襲擊海灣地區石油設施的威脅，以及伊朗與美國之間的緊張局勢不斷升級的局面，沙特對其石油設施安全的擔憂不斷加劇。
The move underlines the kingdom's growing concern about the security of its installations in the face of threats from al-Qaeda to attack oil facilities in the Gulf, and rising tensions between Iran and the US.
以前曾有人擔心，美國和伊朗之間的軍事對抗可能導致伊朗針對海灣地區的美國利益采取報復行動，其中包括美國在沙特的利益。
There have been fears that military confrontation between Iran and Washington could provoke Tehran to retaliate against US interests across the Gulf, including in Saudi Arabia.
上述安全部隊的招募工作數月前開始。一位沙特戰略事務顧問昨日表示，目前已有逾5,000人正接受訓練，學習使用新型監控設備和危機管理知識，該項目是由美國防務集團洛克希德-馬丁(Lockheed Martin)管理的。總部位于尼科西亞的中東經濟調查(MEES)表示，上述培訓是一個美國政府合同的一部分。MESS首先披露洛克希德-馬丁涉足了上述安全部隊的培訓工作。
Recruitment for the security force began several months ago. It already has more than 5,000 personnel, who are being trained in the use of new surveillance equipment and crisis management under a programme managed by US defence group Lockheed Martin, a Saudi strategic affairs adviser said yesterday. The training is part of a US government contract, according to the Nicosia-based Middle East Economic Survey, which first revealed that Lockheed was involved in training the force.
昨日記者未能立即聯系到洛克希德以獲取置評。
Lockheed was not immediately available to comment yesterday.
上述顧問補充稱，估計沙特將在新裝備和部隊上投入約40億-50億美元。沙特是全球最大的石油輸出國，擁有全球25%的已探明石油儲量。
The kingdom, which is the world's biggest oil exporter and has 25 per cent of the world's proven oil reserves, is investing an estimated $4bn-$5bn in the new equipment and the force, the adviser added.
沙特已擁有逾75000人的陸軍，18000人的空軍，15500人的海軍以及一支16000人的防空軍。
Saudi Arabia already has a 75,000-strong army, an air force of 18,000, a navy of 15,500 and an air defence force of 16,000.
美國政府7月份宣布了一筆擬議中的交易，估計價值為200億美元，合同方是海灣合作委員會(Gulf Cooperation Council)的6個國家，其中包括沙特，以提升該地區的安全。
Washington announced a proposed arms deal in July, estimated to be worth $20bn, with the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia, to boost security in the region.
自2003年發生一系列針對西方居住區的襲擊以來，沙特加大了對伊斯蘭武裝分子的打擊力度。
Saudi Arabia has stepped up its crackdown against Islamist militants since a series of attacks against western residential compounds in 2003．
