Instead the Saudi aid was to be given directly to Palestinian charities and other organizations.

Missiles Shipped to Saudis The Saudi aid came at a critical period, when Congress had prohibited United States military assistance to the contras.

Syria's decision results from £2 billion worth of Saudi aid and guarantees a free hand in Lebanon, as well as because of its traditional enmity towards Iraq.

It was Saudi aid that allowed Pakistan to defy international sanctions imposed over its nuclear bomb testing.

Pakistan, the base for the Afghan rebels, has also received Saudi aid at the urging of the United States.

There has been an intense debate over whether Saudi aid and Wahhabism has fomented extremism in recipient countries.

The White House spokesman, Larry Speakes, had no comment today on the report of Saudi aid.

Between 1976 and 2006, Saudi developmental aid amounted to UK$49 billion, second only to the United States of America.

Indeed, after the attacks of September 11, 2001, Saleh, dependent on Saudi and Western aid, promised to coöperate with the war on terror.

It was to the seven Afghan mujahideen groups, and only to them, that the Pakistanis disbursed American and Saudi aid.