Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal on 29 July failed to persuade US President Bush to release the section of the congressional report on terrorism dealing with financing, at a hastily-arranged meeting between the two men in Washington. The 900-page study on the results of a congressional enquiry into the 11 September attacks was released on 24 July, but a 28-page section on how the terrorists were financed remains classified. Widely reported leaks have made clear that the finger is pointed at Riyadh, and Prince Saud echoed Saudi ambassador Prince Bandar bin Sultan in calling for publication of the section in question to allow a rebuttal of the accusations.

'Twenty-eight blank pages are now considered substantial evidence to proclaim the guilt of a country that has been a true friend and partner of the US for over 60 years,' Prince Saud said after his meeting with Bush, expressing disappointment with the president's decision and strongly denying any government involvement with terrorism.

Bush said that the section had to be suppressed to protect sources and methods, and because it had a bearing on ongoing criminal investigations.