T&T government offers apology to Saudi Arabia

The government of Trinidad and Tobago has offered its "profound apology" to the people and government of Saudi Arabia for the search and questioning of one of their diplomats by local law enforcement on Monday.

Last Monday police interrogated visiting Saudi diplomat Dr Fawaz Abdul Rahaman Al Shabili and searched his hotel room at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain. The next day Deputy Police Commissioner Raymond Craig, head of the Special Branch and Crime Intelligence, offered a public apology.

Craig said police were acting on information that raised concerns about a security risk that turned out to be unfounded.

Foreign Minister Paul Gopee-Scoon subsequently rejected claims that Al Shabili's diplomatic immunity was violated, saying he was not a diplomat "who is afforded special rights or privileges under the Vienna Convention, which gives him immunity from search."

The foreign ministry confirmed that "Al Shabili was deployed by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to travel to Trinidad and Tobago for the express purpose of issuing Hajj visas for the 2009 season."

The issue raised national condemnation, especially from the Muslim community and opposition politicians who demanded that the government offer an apology for the international faux pas.

Read the story: Moonilal on the warpath; opposition wants apology for search of Saudi diplomat

Now, the government has sent a formal apology to the Saudi Arabian Government.

In a media release Saturday, the ministry said it "has conveyed an expression of profound apology in respect of the incident to the Government and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

The Muslim community in Trinidad and Tobago responded by saying it is pleased with the apology, saying it would help maintain good relations with the Kingdom and prevent any further damage to relations between the two countries.