The passage of a United States law, that would permit families of victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks to sue the Saudi Arabia for damages has been condemned by the foreign ministry of the Saudi Arabia citing it is a matter of "great concern".

The Ministry said in a statement that, "The erosion of sovereign immunity will have a negative impact on all nations, including the United States." The statement was carried on state news agency SPA after a day of stony silence from Riyadh.

The foreign ministry expressed hope that the US Congress would correct the legislation "to avoid the serious unintended consequences that may ensue," without elaborating on what the consequences might be.

The US Senate and House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to approve legislation that will allow the families of those killed in the 2001 attacks on the United States to seek damages from the Saudi government.

The Saudi government financed an extensive lobbying campaign against the "Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act", or JASTA, in the run-up to the vote, and warned it would undermine the principle of sovereign immunity.

The Saudi riyal fell against the US dollar in the forward foreign exchange market after the law was passed.

Also Read: House Passes 9/11 Bill, Let Victims’ Families Sue Saudi Arabia!

Nandini