Saudi Arabia on Wednesday welcomed the move by the US government to release classified documents relating to the 9/11 attacks.
The comments come after President Joe Biden ordered the Justice Department and other agencies to review classified documents related to the FBI's investigation into the 9/11 attacks and declassify them in the coming months.
The Saudi embassy in Washingon said on Wednesday that Riyadh has long called for the move and added that any allegation of ties between the attackers, many of whom were Saudi nationals, and the government were "categorically false".
"Since that horrific day 20 years ago, the leadership of Saudi Arabia has consistently called for the release of all materials related to the United States' investigation of the attacks," the embassy said. "The Kingdom has always advocated for transparency surrounding the September 11 tragedy."
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Robert Peraza, who lost his son Robert David Peraza, pauses at his son's name at the North Pool of the 9/11 Memorial during tenth anniversary ceremonies at the site of the World Trade Center in New York, September 11, 2011. The 9/11 attacks changed life in the United States forever, but 10 years after the devastating hit, New Yorkers have learned to live in a more dangerous world and are ready to move on. Reuters -
September 11, 2011. The World Trade Center site is seen before ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, in New York. Eric Thayer / Reuters -
September 11, 2011. Bagpipers perform next to one of the Memorial's twin pools at Ground Zero during ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, in New York, September 11, 2011. Jessica Rinaldi / Reuters -
September 11, 2011. The flag that flew over the World Trade Center on 9/11 is seen during ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, in New York. Mark Blinch / Reuters -
September 11, 2011. U.S. President Barack Obama (R), first lady Michelle Obama (2nd R), former U.S. President George W. Bush (2nd L) and former first lady Laura Bush walk beside the North pool of the WTC Memorial during ceremonies marking the 10th anniver??? -
September 11, 2011. U.S. President Barack Obama touches the names of victims engraved on the side of the north pool of the World Trade Center site during ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, in New York. L??? -
September 11, 2011. A person holds a picture remembering a victim of the attacks during ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, in New York. Larry Downing / Reuters -
September 11, 2011. U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are joined by former President George W. Bush and his wife Laura Bush during ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. J??? -
September 11, 2011. A Port Authority police officer salutes during ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. Jim Young / Reuters -
September 11, 2011. A woman touches the engraved names on the North Pool during ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. Jim Young / Reuters
The embassy said that as past investigations have revealed, "including the 9/11 Commission and the release of the so-called '28 pages', no evidence has ever emerged to indicate that the Saudi government or its officials had previous knowledge of the terrorist attack or were in any way involved in its planning or execution."
It added that "any allegation that Saudi Arabia is complicit in the September 11 attacks is categorically false".
Mr Biden's move to order a review of the classified documents came in response to intense pressure from Congress and victims’ families.
Some family members of victims have asked a US government watchdog to investigate their suspicions that the FBI lied about or destroyed evidence that may have linked Saudi Arabia to the hijackers.
Saudi Arabia has long denied it had any role in the hijacked plane attacks.
"As the administrations of the past four US presidents have attested, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has unwaveringly condemned and denounced the deplorable crimes that took place against the United States, its close ally and partner," the embassy said.
"Saudi Arabia can only reiterate its longstanding support for the full declassification of any documents and materials relating to the United States’ investigation of the terrorist attacks, with the hope that a full release of these documents will end the baseless allegations against the Kingdom once and for all."
Meanwhile, the US military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay were on full display on Wednesday, when lawyers questioned the judge who is presiding over the case of the five men accused of helping orchestrate the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. Col McCall, 50, is the seventh judge to preside over the case, which has dragged on since charges were first filed in 2008.
