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CIA WARNS OF SAUDI FRAGILITY

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The CIA has completed a classified report that warns of instablity in Saudi Arabia.

U.S. government sources said the report is the first in about five years and reflects the state of the kingdom in the wake of the Sept. 11 suicide attacks on New York and Washington. The sources said the Bush administration has distributed the report to the State Department and other agencies, including Congress. The report is not intended for public release.

The 25-page National Intelligence Estimate by the CIA's Directorate of Intelligence does not break new ground on the Saudis, the sources said. But they said the report reviews the internal and external threats against the kingdom as well as the future of Riyad's ties with Washington.

A key concern raised in the report is the issue of Saudi succession. The sources quoted the report as saying that the regime does not appear to have resolved who will replace the ailing King Fahd. The senior members of the royal family range from ages 75 to 80.

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