French President Jacques Chirac condemned the killing of three French expatriates in Saudi Arabia on Monday, describing it as “hateful.”
Chirac urged the matter be investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice.
Three French people were killed and one was wounded in a drive-by shooting in the northwest part of Saudi Arabia on Monday.
The Saudi Interior Ministry said the perpetrators were unidentified gunmen who escaped the scene.
It is unclear whether the shootings were a robbery or a premeditated terror attack.
Some of the nine members of the French group were Muslims who were planning to head to Mecca for a pilgrimage, ministry spokesman Man’sour A-Turki said.
Saudi authorities are investigating the incident, he said.
The Saudi kingdom has been tackling terrorism against local and foreigners since May 2003, when suspected Al-Qa’ida terrorist hit three compounds, killing 35 people, many of them Westerners.
Terrorists have targeted locals, foreigners, and economic interests, in an attempt to undermine the monarchy and drive out foreigners.
There have been no fatal attacks on foreigners since 2004.