A huge number of security personnel underwent training to upgrade the level of security precautions at these installations, Al-Turki said.
He, however, said the work of this force will not be restricted to oil and industrial installations only but will also cover national and citizens’ security.
Last July, Minister of Interior Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz had told members of the Shoura Council that preparations were being made to establish a force of 35,000 men to protect oil and industrial installations.
Security is already tight around oil installations, which are mostly in the Eastern Province.
The Kingdom foiled at least two major plots since 2006 to hit major oil facilities.
Last April, more than 170 people were arrested for planning attacks on oil and industrial facilities, including some who had been training as pilots in preparation for possible suicide operations.
Five of the men played a role in an attempt to storm a major oil facility at Abqaiq in February 2006.
A source at the Interior Ministry announced in a statement Wednesday that security forces arrested 701 suspected militants this year, some of them suspected of plotting attacks against the oil and economic installations.
Out of those arrested, 181 were released because there was no proof of linking them to the terror network, while 520 remain in custody, the statement said.
Al-Turki told Okaz that investigations conducted with the arrested terrorist groups revealed that they were working under a strategy mentioned in the seized books talking about “the management of barbarism” (Idarat At-Tawahhush).
