DAR AL ISLAM - SAUDI ARABIA: "...THE PATH FROM WAHABI DOCTRINE TO AL QUEDA PHILOSOPY IS QUITE SHORT"

SAUDI MONEY FINANCES MOSQUES IN N. AFRICA

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- Saudi Arabia has been funneling hundreds of millions of dollars to establish Wahabi mosques and schools in North Africa.

Officials said Saudi princes and those close to the ruling family have been pouring money into the construction of mosques, schools and charities in such countries as Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia. They said the Saudi funding, joined by those in other Gulf Cooperation Council states, was encouraged by the government in Riyad and meant to increase the kingdom's influence in North Africa.

"Saudi foreign policy is primarily the promotion of the Wahabi doctrine," an official said. "It's problematic because the path from Wahabi doctrine to Al Qaida philosophy is quite short."

Officials said the United States has been monitoring the flow of funds, but has not relayed any protest to Saudi Arabia or other GCC states.

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1) SAUDI MONEY FINANCES MOSQUES IN N. AFRICA