Such passports are used by both Saudi diplomats and well-placed individuals, and the courier's identity remains unknown.

"They cannot do it without us," one Saudi diplomat said.

Last month, a Saudi diplomat lost both legs when a bomb blew up under his car in Ankara, Turkey.

Japanese and Saudi diplomats strongly denied engaging in such "checkbook diplomacy."

He said he knew nothing of reports that a Saudi diplomat was missing or hospitalized.

Unlike many Saudi diplomats, Mr. Jubeir is not a member of the royal family.

The senior Saudi diplomat maintained today, "I am confident we will find a solution."

Newly formed underground organizations believed linked to Iran say they have mounted a campaign of terror against Saudi diplomats abroad.

"These people are under the protection of the government," one Saudi diplomat asserted.

And Iranian intervention was believed to have helped free a Saudi diplomat kidnapped in Lebanon early last year.